When art goes out on the streets
When empty spaces and blind walls say nothing, it is the role of people to intervene and convey a message. This is also the case in Craiova, where urban art has an important place. And a simple walk on the street can surprise, from where you least expect it, with some pieces of art that give life to areas that, usually, would say nothing.
The city center is undoubtedly the place where most such works of art are found. In the Historical Center, the dull and boring electricity panels were brought back to life with the help of students from the Art High School, through a project started several years ago. Also, in the same area, there are blind walls that have gained personality and now tell stories to passers-by. Thus, the civic center, the meeting place of the people, becomes alive and special.
Through other private projects, such as the Urban Street Delivery manifesto, two passages that, until recently, did not convey anything, were rendered to the public through modern, lively and colorful representations. Thus, we have urban stories represented on the corridor in the area of "Carol I" National College, and in the Craiova Bazar, the poet Mihai Eminescu and the writer Mircea Eliade are waiting to be visited, in a modern and fresh adaptation. Thanks to these projects, the mentioned places have been transformed from simple passages to admirable spaces.
In the vicinity of the Art Museum, on a wall not very visible until a few months ago, a special portrait appeared: the one of the "blond miracle", Ilie Balaci, the footballer of Craiova Maxima who disappeared from us on a autumn day, in 2018. This portrait is just one of the ways in which the community has chosen to pay a modest tribute to one of Dolj's most important sportsmen.
Neighborhoods also have their stories. On tall, gray blocks, there are now portraits and stories closely related to the communities in the area. The legend of Baba Novac, the Battle of Rovine with fragments from Mihai Eminescu's Third Letter or the portrait of Marin Sorescu, illustrated by his writings, color the neighborhoods and make them look different. This, with the help of artists such as Krom Balgesky and Kero Zen, from London and Cluj, who signed these works. But also with the important contribution of the citizens, who said what art they would like to see in their communities.
Craiova street art does not stop here, because the creativity of the citizens does not stop here. Yes, the city can be rediscovered in an alternative and pleasing way. The colorful clothes that Craiova has put on in recent years are a sign that the city is a living, ever-changing body that listens to its voices. And what beautiful stories they tell!
Photo: discoverdolj.ro