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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
May 8, 2006
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| February 23, 2006 |
Muralism as a Force for Progressive Social Change – Juan Chaparro |
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| Rooted in the Mexican muralist movement of the early 20th century, Latin American societies have used public art as a method of expression in order to educate and influence larger populations. Jose Vasconcelos, Mexican minister of education at the dawn of the 20th century, became aware of how low literacy rates and lack of access to information by the masses created ignorance among the majority. Hence, he commissioned walls in public buildings depicting historic scenes and promoting progressive ideals. |
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In the late 1960’s, the presidential campaign of Salvador Allende successfully utilized public murals as a tool to disseminate his political platform throughout Chile. Neighborhood groups were organized into so-called muralist brigades, which sometimes had up to several hundred members. In this manner, the process itself would become an important community event, sometimes even matching the actual message of the mural. The legacy created by the muralist brigades was enormous, as innumerable members continued their work clandestinely during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Here depicted is a mural demanding “memory, justice and truth” created by a brigade whose initials are BRP. |
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Chilean artist and muralist Juan Chaparro joined the 52nd global voyage from Ushuaia to Valparaiso in order to share his experience as part of the current muralist movement in his home country. In addition, Juan also prepared a group of Peace Boat participants who would eventually help finish a mural in Valparaiso led by Juan and three other artists. |
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As Juan explains, “murals hoping to educate [or influence the masses] often fall in the artistic category of socio-political realism or are simply seen as political propaganda.” Regardless, their potential to influence is unlimited. Such scene of a political mural near a low income residential area tends to be a normal one not only in Valparaiso, but in other regions of Latin America as well. |
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Juan stands in front of one of his murals along the outer walls of the infamous former prison of Valparaiso. This particular wall painting, depicting an indigenous person of Mapuche descent, was completed by an assemblage of young artists determined to bring popular attention to current social issues not addressed by Chilean leaders. |
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