I went back to the canals again because the same friend of mine that pointed out that I go there in the first place later told me that I missed some of the best stuff by not crossing the street and going to the portion of the klong (canal) where the professional or better equipped or more experienced street artists have been plying their trade.
I went back and while I am proud of the students for doing their best and making something cute and decorative for the canals that previously just stank and were an eyesore, a pretty awesome place to walk around.
Maybe the separated the kids from the experienced artists on purpose so the kids wouldn't feel bad, but in a way I kind of hope that they invited the kids along to watch how the people with more experience do what they do because it is night and day the difference in talent between this, which I find amazing, and what the kids were doing. no offense to the kids of course, all of you did better than I think I would have.
Just for reference or in case you didn't read the last one, here is one of the ones that was featured in the children section of the canal art display.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's not stupid, it's not crazy, but it definitely isn't on the same level as the first one and certainly not the next one that I am about to show.
I think, from my very limited experience of dealing with spray paint, that there must have been a tutorial of sorts about how to avoid drip from placing too much paint in one spot because if it had been me making that artwork, it probably would have looked like whatever that creature is was crying from every part of it's face including its outline.
This is the one that really blew me away. I had to lean in closer to check the surface of the wall because I suspected it was a print made by a computer that had been glued there or perhaps someone has made this with brushes.
It is 100% spray paint and to me this is just unbelievable talent. Making a face at all look realistic is something so far beyond the abilities of any artist using any type of paint or crayon or whatever is really really tough, but doing it with spray cans on an uneven surface made of poorly constructed concrete blocks? This just blows my mind. This is massive levels of talent here and I hope that the person who made this makes a very good living off of creating art that is for sale. I would but it and i think others would as well.
I have no idea if this portrait is of someone famous so if any of you know who that is, please do tell. There was no indication of who the person in the work is, and the artists sought no recognition for doing it either. His or her name is nowhere to be found near this. That's true artistry right there man. I admire the heck out of it.
Although there is work like this all over the place in Chiang Mai's downtown, this is the only area that I am aware of where it was a government project because the government owns all the canals, obviously. I commend them for doing this and for cleaning up this once just terribly disgusting and dirty part of the city. I hope they can continue to make this some sort of rotating art display and maybe open a few cafes as well. that would be incredible and the people who visit here would definitely spend money to come and see it.
Penang, Malaysia did something like this I think about 15 years ago and while the allure died down, it did become some sort of a tourist attraction for a while. Since tourism is dying in Chiang Mai anyway, maybe this could be something interesting and different for them to do?