The CDGL recently held their street art competition where students from different colleges painted the walls of Lahore. It is very encouraging that this initiative, which was inaugurated last year, has continued and it was repeated this year.
It not only beautifies the vandalised walls of Lahore but gives a chance to many students to express themselves artistically and exhibit a sense of socio-political consciousness. This year produced many beautiful walls and original ideas came out along with the usual clichs. One complaint that can be made is that this competition was restricted to more mainstream areas of Lahore. Why not conduct it in the many neglected areas of Lahore which are adorned by things much uglier than artistic impressions?
Graffiti has long been a symbol of resistance and people have used it to vent their feelings in a dash of spray on a wall. It is mildly ironic that something which is considered subversive and rebellious is being co-opted by administrative machinery. But there is nothing wrong with that.
As long as we see some appealing artwork on the walls of Lahore, this sanctioned vandalism is to be appreciated. It might give us something to reflect on while stuck in a traffic jam.
SAMINA BILQUIS
Lahore
