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El Matal Ecuador, jama coaque art project, jama concurso, jama ecuador light posts paintings, palo santo jama ecuador, urban art, who owns urban art?
Many of you will remember the extremely-popular (It Started With One Light Pole) post from 2012 that circulated round the world – more than once! Several periodicals pointed readers to this community project that was triggered by one lone light pole.
Just last week someone else featured this community event – (And did not ask to use my photos!) – I refrained from scolding them about using my photos, since this was about the locals in Jama and not about me. The more the world read about those artists and about the positive things happening in Jama, the better. Right?
For a refresher, see IT STARTED WITH ONE LIGHT POLE. (2012)
It Started With One Light Pole
Looking better!
“It Started With One Light Pole” – (Remember this view!)
One year later…
I’ve enjoyed watching Luchy transform his petite little building into a work of art, and we sometimes smile and say, ‘It started with one light pole.” That lone post triggered two years’ worth of urban art. I witnessed shy insecure young artists bud into confident ones.
But something is amiss this week, and I’m struggling with warring emotions.
Luchy and I were quite pleased with the results! See “It Started With…And Kept Going”
We were honored and surprised when the local tourism director, inspired by the brightly-colored post, sponsored a painting competition for the entire stretch of incoming Jama Avenue! Novice artists joined seasoned ones and literally painted the town with color! 52 posts smiled with designs that honored the pre-Columbian icons of the Jama Coaque Indians.
Individual artists worked on some posts, while the collective energetic groups worked on others.
—Remember Angel’s smile…. You’ll be tested soon…
This almost-new post provided a blank canvas for inspiring smiles and happy art!
How can one not smile when witnessing this budding Picasso-ette?!
Two willing assistants waited at the prepped post! (Note the young lad on the left side of the post; you’ll be tested later!)
Choosing between participating or encouraging the others, I walked from one end of Jama Avenue to the other, all day every day. On the second day, people began to ask, “Why aren’t you painting a post?”
On the third day of the competition, I selected a post near my friends’ home and painted a design from an artifact in the nearby museum.
Opting not to compete, I photographed others critiquing the colors and design.
The event triggered an arts renaissance, and one artist continued painting after the competition was over!
Jose Luis in Garrobo Tree – See ‘The Highest of Arts.”
Infectious enthusiasm inspired another competition in nearby El Matal. (See “GOT PAINT?”)
(Note the just-starting-to-vanish beach in the following photos)
Last year, a third competition resumed along the outgoing Avenue in Jama!
Imagine my dismay when I returned to Jama after last week’s meeting at El Matal, and I noted that something was wrong along the incoming stretch of Jama Avenue. My friend Leslie, who was driving me back to town, chuckled and said, “Call me if you end up in jail.”
I was quite upset!
(Remember Angel’s smile? Where is that post that put that smile on his face?
Remember that young lad?! – My young assistant is two years taller! But wait; something’s missing in this picture!
Jama Avenue has lost its soul!
Only the scars remain.
I left a note on Luchy’s door…. I understand the need for new posts, but couldn’t they save or showcase the old ones?
Look again at the first image at the top of this post; the pole was in good shape and surely didn’t need to be replaced! There were many others in equally-good condition.
What is wrong with this picture?
Am I the only one who is offended by the removal of this urban art?
Bummer. Sounds like you need pole-painting contest day dos
I think it’s time I retire my urban paintbrush! Thanks! Z
Isn’t it just like government to replace perfectly good things with new? But like Julie said.. Pole paint redo!
yes, i am hopeful that the community will have a new chance to show their spirit w-urban art!
So sorry, Z.
Looks like “do-overs” might now be on your already full plate?
Never say never….
Raye
hopefully the tourism director will coordinate a re’painting party! thanks amiga!
They waited until you left. I think they’re afraid if you! 😉
your comment made me laugh! yes, you´re probably right!
z
🙂
🙂 🙂
Z, I was all prepared for a happy ending as I smiled all the way until he last part. Urban art, when done well, is inspirational and moving. You showed through the pictures, so yes I share your disappointment at its removal. I am with Raye on the do-over. BTG
sometimes we write in hopes of adding a ´gotcha´moment, but no, i´m sorry that you were thinking this would have a happy ending. hopefullly they didn´t damage the posts too much, and they can be used in a park.. i asked the tourism director to stop them from taking away the others, and to move them to a park, so hopefully they won´t be in a graveyard for old posts forever and ever!
Terrific!
Why am I not surprised that Governments seem to be the same, everywhere. Destroy whats attractive, historic or beautiful, and replace it with bureaucratic chosen ticky-tacky standardization. I’m so sorry for your and your town’s loss.
you´re right! thanks for your feedback! z
Maybe the community should start an annual pole-painting contest!!
they had two that year and one last year. i suppose the first one could be considered an exercise!
oh no, that’s so not right 😦
yes, a bit discouraging. thanks!
That is very sad. I hope the artists will rise again!
thanks! i think i´ll stay out of it and hope that the locals speak up for more urban art!
You’re not the only one! But I hope that lemonade can be made from lemons, and the next competition, or the next flowering of public are in Jama, will be even more prolific and joyful.
thank youñ i wish you were here to help keep that perpetual smile alive from one end of the street to the other!
A sad loss, but – hey! Look on this as an opportunity… Tony
thanks tony.. yes, like ants that rebuild their nests, i suppose the locals will one day repaint their neighborhood!
Love, love, love it!!!
Oh, such a sad end of a good story. And of course everybody have to ask to use your pictures!! At least there is a lot of other good stories and creativity were you are. Keep on Z & co!
yes, the éxercise´of painting helped them gain more self confidence, but i wish their work had stood the test of time and would smile on them for many more years.
I understand exactly how upsetting this can be, Z – not nice at all!!!
However, please don’t “retire your urban paintbrush”!
thanks amiga.. sometimes it seems the community has its little tokens of joy taken away with zero respect for those who did the work. i sometimes think it´s not worth the battle, and if it doesn´t bother the locals, well….. maybe i should just take care of lisa and stay out of this one…
I was so happy about what you were doing,
this is so sad, no you have to fight but don’t go
to jail for it 😉 or re-paint the post. buena suerte
yes, i threated to tie myself to a post and stop them from taking down more! i asked the director of tourism to interevene, but the next morning, the rest of the posts were removed. it made me very discouraged.
This is such a wonderful project to keep residents involved in beautifying their communities. It is very sad that the poles were replaced. I guess now it is time for new designs.
si. the community deserves to play a part in making their neighborhoods happier and brighter w-color.
OK, Z…I am ready! I’ll bail you out of jail, too. Just say the word and I’ll be there with my paintbrushes. What did happen to the old light poles? Are these poles aluminum? Can they be painted? I’m armed with brushes and ready to help. Can you pick me up with your flying carpet?
i wish we could make this dream come true! it would be ablast to pick up a world full of volunteers to come splash color down jama avenue!
Well, just think of these new poles as blank canvases — not to mention another opportunity for the artists! Perhaps you could talk with the powers-that-be, too, to pull them into the process somehow. If it were me, I’d give it a week or two before I did anything, just to let them relax a bit. Maybe throw them off their guard. 😉
It had to be a shock to the system, but it’s possible that something even better can come from this. Hard to imagine, perhaps, but you never know.
thanks! on friday i talked w-the director of tourism (she was not the director when those posts were painted) and i pleaded, ´please! please stop them fom taking the rest!´
i also asked if they could be moved to a park, and hopefully something will happen that turns this into a positive experience with an even’better ending for the posts!
I share your grief – for that is what we feel when the creative spirit is not sustained within a community. But, one thing is certain, creative spirit cannot be contained or diminished. I feel there will be a phoenix rising from the ashes.
yes, sometimes that phoenix has to rest-recover before she can fly again!
Well said!!! I think that is why I love the seasons which remind us all to rest.
Oh no! How discouraging and disappointing. And look at the new holes in the pavement, as well. Also, as rewired and retired said, “Where are the old poles?” Wouldn’t it be amazing if you saw them in another town somewhere!!!!!!
yes, and those holes were ´wide open´for about five days! i´m glad that they did go back and fill the wounds! z
Thank goodness.
What a shame, everyone loved painting the poles – you brought joy and brightness into a lot of people’s lives. Long live paint brushes!
long live paint brushes! great comment! thanks!
That is unbelievable, and I’m shocked by the outcome! Let’s just hope that’s not the ending of the story. It’s a great story, and I was just imagining how much life and energy that brought to the town/street.
ithanks! i´m stil having a little internal war as i wrestle with my feelings about this! thanks for your support!
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Did they remove the poles because they were in bad shape or obsolete? Not because they were painted? If new poles are to be installed, a new community art effort might be just the thing to put back the local personality and color.Could symbolize a fresh start. Sorry for the disappointment though. Your personal energy and talents and generosity are truly inspiring.
This is a bit saddening. I just may have to return. With a brush in each hand.