A few years ago, I had finished up a recovery meeting that went long and got a little warm. A comment was made after the meeting it was a little messy. I responded, “Sure it was, it was an authentic discussion. No prepared statements, no meeting before the meeting.” We had been talking about race, culture, perception, economic development, equity and breaking the cycle of poverty. It had been a long three months, everyone was tired.
A couple of weeks later I went downtown to Art Alley located off DeSaird. My plan was to walk around and relax. I parked across from the Cotton restaurant. Within a few minutes I walked upon this mural “Life is Messy.” I stood there for a moment. I knew instantly it meant something to me. I took some photographs and sent to my colleagues. It had the same effect on them. Real democracy is messy. Humans are messy and nothing is perfect. We have to help one another get through the journey.
Effective communication can be oral, written, maps, charts and yes public art. Poetry, song, sculpture, murals, paintings are all communication forms that can be brought to bear on hard issues. This is something I knew, but somehow was reaffirmed that cold winter day.
I’m still out there photographing public art and architecture. It has become an outlet for me. It’s my way of resting. The “Life is Messy” mural has a very special place in my heart. It opened doors I did not know were there.
Thank you to all the artists and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council for making us beautiful.
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