Curating the city follows interdisciplinary approaches, and goes beyond the bounds of individual disciplines, or targeted elite groups. It is to create art for everyone to enjoy and redefine the boundaries.
Since 2012, I have been extending my art practice in public spaces .However the authorities are simply disinterested and uninformed about the benefits that art can bring into the city. Initially they did not allow me to bring my art works in urban settings. In response to that, I intervened without their consent, making my work accessible to all. Much later my travelling experiences in big cities around the world affirmed me that public art policy has an important role in creating social change, equity, and inclusion. It avowed me that everything I do globally must be meaningful locally. As an artist coming from a developing country, I can see a rapid urbanization in Kathmandu comes with pronounced problems, threatening the cultural structures, environment and city aesthetics.
Recently, I started a project that focuses on transforming neglected public lands into green spaces and edible gardens. I envision them to grow and evolve into a sustainable community asset. Seeing my dedication to cultivate greeneries in the city, the representative of Lalitpur Metropolitan city invited me for a meeting as they themselves were preparing for tree plantation along the sidewalks.
I suggested them to plant flowering trees on lonely traffic islands and road dividers too. I provided digital drawings and sketches as a strategy to improve the streetscape and biodiversity. As a pivotal increment to this, I shared my idea of integrating art in public spaces. They said, though we like the idea we lack in funding part because this sorts of things has never been in practice before. If the artist can generate fundings then we can negotiate to achieve this.
I told them if we do not have resources for public art programs we can incorporate art works on existing urban elements such as dustbins , poles, tree guards, walls, bridges and benches, making the world of ordinary things more magical and welcoming. This will also create a gentle shift in our behavioral change towards public properties. Lalitpur metropolitan city is slowly considering to instigate artistic solutions into new development projects which is upbeat and may gain momentum in our society. It is really important to establish a culture that lets art happen.
The 1st phase of the tree plantation was done without the participation of community. So they faced difficulties in fostering the connection between public and the city agencies. New partnership models' has to be applied in these processes so that our work is both people- and place-centered. Usually Banks and other business houses fund these kinds of projects mainly to use prominent locations for their advertisements. They are mainly interested in commercial profits rather than the transformation and wellbeing of the society. If they fail to provide future care and maintenance of these spaces, their advertisements will be removed immediately as a penalty. This kind of public place –making contract has to be made beforehand.
It is necessary to take into account the social dynamics and cultural specificities of the area. We can invite local institutes like schools, organizations etc to take this initiation. The idea of local people taking on responsibility for their own parks and maintenance could instill a sense of pride and attachment in the people who live and work in the surrounding area.
While the city authorities started planting trees at various commercial points stretching from kupondol to Pulchowk. Most of the shopkeepers said, that the trees will grow and overshadow their billboards. They worried about their business being blocked but greeneries are directly related to the promotion of the local economy plus urban forestation can lower the stress level of city dwellers. Perhaps, we must bring change; on our current mindset.
As an extension of my project - I am going to hold dozens of convenient, accessible meetings with shopkeeper’s and actively listen to them. Through these observations, I hope to find what kinds of methods are missing and what can be improved.
To make an under-performing space into a lively place, we cannot expect to do everything right initially .It takes vision, discipline and patience to create social change and greater community.
I shift my roles from an artist, designer as facilitators to mediate between diverse members of the community and facilitate the recognition of shared values and our common goal to establish green spaces in denser cities.
