Milena Georgieva BA Graphic and Media Design In what follows, I will depict my self-initiated project (SIP) idea and explain some of the reasonings and challenges behind it. My SIP project is about collectively painting a wall in my hometown. The aim is to gather young locals with interest in art and design who would aid in creating a fresh new visual piece in the city. The volunteers involved, as well as all citizens, would have the chance to participate in the painting of the typographical mural, which would evoke in them a better sense of community. As a result, the message on the wall – “it is nice”* – will continue to encourage people to think more positively, to be more appreciative of what they have, and therefore, to live more happily and intentionally. That being said, the reasoning behind this project is very important. Firstly, through personal experience, I had noticed that young artistic people in the city struggle to find a community for themselves. They have a lot of questions and need of advice but since the artistic network is not well connected, they often feel out of place. Therefore, igniting a spark for an artistic community through this project is a primary objective. Secondly, people in my home country have been very polarised recently – partly due to political reasons, partly because of their seemingly lower income. This all leads to them often being frustrated and unsatisfied with their lives. However, I believe this is just one way to perceive things. On the other hand, for example, our nature is amazing and all foreigners claim that we are very hospitable people. Therefore, when I was choosing the message of the mural, I wanted it to challenge people’s standpoints, to provoke thought. In the process of concept generation, through considering the mural message, I also looked at the long-term aim for my design practice. It relates to what Rafael López – an illustrator and community muralist – mentions in an interview. “Instead of painting for companies, I was painting for people who smiled when they saw my designs and wanted to be part of the project” (Schuit, 2016). He then goes on to explain that through his work he has made many new friends and has realised that “art can be a powerful, compelling tool to make positive change”(Schuit, 2016). Ultimately, this is what I would like my practice to be about, to be purposeful and beneficial and this SIP is a step forward in this direction. Maybe Something Beautiful Mural. Rafael López. Available at: https://rafaellopez.com/2016/05/02/maybe-something-beautiful-mura/ (Accessed 12 March 2022) Nevertheless, I am also facing many challenges in this project. I am completely clueless about this new-to-me medium, managing a team (even such of only four people), pursuing funding. As with all projects that put me outside of my comfort zone, I get a bit too fearful as opposed to brave and excited. I really strive to change that attitude. That is why, I was pleased to stumble across Lauren Hom’s blog in my research. She provides a lot of know-how on murals (which makes the new medium more familiar) and encourages her readers to view them “as a fun adventure rather than something scary”(Hom, 2020). Personally, something that helps me stay in control and overcome this fear (of failure) is research, as mentioned, and having a timeline like the one in my proposal. It always changes a bit from its original form, but overall it is a very helpful guideline. Additionally, something else that reassures me is teamwork. It soothes me to know that I have a group of people that I can count on. Even in the responsible managing role that I have now, I feel calmer to know that I work alongside the rest of the team. Furthermore, effective communication is key in such scenarios. As of now, we are seeking funding and we have an upcoming pitch meeting with the city’s municipality. If everything goes according to plan and we communicate effectively, we might get funded by them (it would only make sense that the municipality engages in a project about building a stronger community in the city). Project Board. Milena Georgieva. Personal Archive. This is where all organisation is being kept. It is very useful to track thought process, research, sketches, meetings, among others. Another challenge is sustainability. It is something I strive towards in all my personal and professional undertakings, including in my thesis topic (sustainability in bookmaking) for final year. When it came to this SIP, I thought about various aspects. For example, not buying but reusing plastic containers, brushes and paint rollers. Bringing old clothes or fabric instead of buying new rags. However, paint itslef is perhaps the biggest resource needed. Therefore, I was beyond excited to find out about a great sustainable alternative to regular acrylic (essentially plastic) paint. We found a brand that produces air purifying paint that contains no toxic substances (European Commission, 2019). Airlite is perfect for our project and we hope we can get it delivered in time. All in all, what this SIP experience gives to me is invaluable. I find myself in a new artistic situation – I get to explore a new medium, work with new materials and test new styles – all of the visual research would definitely influence my future approach. Managing and working within a team is also enhancing my skillset. Furthermore, the subject of community building through art relates to my long-term dream of evolving my practice into a purposeful and beneficial one. *This is a direct translation. The meaning of the phrase is very broad and the idea is to make people think about various things to appreciate like their physical surroundings, their community, their overall situation and in general – their life. Resources:
European Commission (2019) Non-toxic eco-paint is a smart way to improve air quality. Available at: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/255161-nontoxic-ecopaint-is-a-smart-way-to-improve-air-quality (Accessed: 12 March 2022). Schuit, M. (2016) HOW RAFAEL LÓPEZ BROUGHT A COMMUNITY TOGETHER. Available at: http://www.allthewonders.com/books/rafael-guest-post/ (Accessed: 12 March 2022). Hom, L. (2020) Five Myths About Mural Painting that are Killing Your Dreams. Available at: https://www.homsweethom.com/blog/five-myths-about-mural-painting (Accessed: 12 March 2022).
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