Public art in Brownsville may come at a cost.....

"What is art if not the end of truth, if every line you paint is a lie."gt

Certainly it is one thing to be poor, and another thing is to lack the ganas or the spirit to do anything...The lack of ideas or the will to come up with ways to improve the world we live in are harbored deep inside....
Of course as artists we contribute art , but art is a concept, a perception, a way of thinking that allows us to express how we view the world.. and how do we view the world is asked ? How do we describe beauty, life and or death ?

An artist is a thinker, poet, an engineer, a scientist, a story teller, a politician, a psychologist, a sum of all put together, and at any given moment a genius capable of producing the next wonder of the world. At least the world we know, the valley, the city we live in, the neighborhood, the house, or the bed we sleep in..for some even only the floor to sleep in or stand on, is the only world we know..

Sometimes when I think about art or the production of public art, I think about how it can also compliment the city of Brownsville, and its surroundinng cities ..The most obvious thoughts about public art that comes to mind, that may compliment the city is murals and public sculptures, set throughout every corner of the city, that can be seen on a drive to work, the movies , the park, the store, something that pleases the eye , and at the same time pleases the soul. Public art that resonates the ideologies of the good spirit that lives with in us.
Certainly all art has a price, for us one we can not afford as we look into our pockets or reflect on the jobs and opportunities the city has to offer. Let us reflect our city, Brownsville, a great city neighboring, Matamoros Tamaulipas Mexico.., with its own airport, and Port, with South Padre Island only 20minutes away, the University of Texas at Brownsville ...certainly a fast growing city , with new business opening everyday.

How do we survive..? How do we live..? How do we prosper.... ? What can an artist offer the city ? What are your ideas ?

Can an artist contribute ideas to prevent flooding in our city?
Can an artist contribute ideas to improve the Port of Brownsville and bring a bigger industry, allowing the port to grow and create jobs and income that will benefit all the people -residents of Brownsville?
Can an artist contribute ideas that can improve driving across the border into Mexico and returning a more pleasant drive?
Can an artist contribute ideas that can improve the quality and standards of our health care systems ?
Can an artist improve the gridlock of traffic during rush hour?
Can an artist improve the quality of life in Brownsville?

What can or should an artist improve? Or should the city improve itself to provide more opportunities for artists and its people, its residents and tax payers ?

Certainly no one should feel like the owe anybody anything...

And its not about being a city decorator..

Improving the city and the quality of life is the job of those who run for a public office and are elected by the people..

Museums and or Noneprofit organization also play their part aswell, when they ask for funds in the name of helping promote culture , creativity and encouraging emerging artists.

It is simple begins with a an idea nurtured when we are kids by parents and teachers......