Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1987)
tMPLOVtf | fpfJS?I Blackboards of the People Colorful murals liven the humdrum urban landscapes of Eugene and Springfield Hugenc is ;i city where a diver sit) of cultures and influences have blended into a unique whole. Tie-dyes have become normal casual wear; businessmen sign petitions to legalize marijuana; ‘'hippy" handicrafts have become part of the mainstream economy. Anil a wasteland of miKlern buildings have been enlivened with artistic imagination, then ex pansive pale vsalls painted with colorful murals. Far from being just tailed rent nants of a 60s counter culture, many of the paintings are new. University SUNNY SERVICE Foreign & Domestic Cars Specializing in Volvo and Volkswagen • Major & Minor Repairs • ASE Certified Technicians 1905 Agate Si. • 344 0869 Just a few blocks from campus on tbe corner of Agate and 19th Murals adorn everything from staid businesses to elementary schools. Many ol the creations can be seen in downtown Kugene. Polka dotted dinosaurs, poppy fields and smiling Hoc-dads east an air of gaiety over the city streets. SWEATS $6" Cortex / Outerwear 40-60% Sports Factory Outlet The Winchell Connection 949 Pearl Street (between 10th & Broadway* 10 6 Mon Sat 343-8352 Many ut the downtown murals bear the mysterious signature ot kiki Jerry Winetrout ot Maaco Auto Body remembers kiki as a local artist looking tor a path to recognition in the early '70s. She would find inviting walls and ot ter to paint murals on them tor the cost of the materials. I he result tor Maaco is a cartoon-like rendition of what g(x*s on inside the building: a smashed up car enters one end and comes out the other as shiny and absurd as anything Dr Seuss could dream up. All. of course, under the scrutiny of a purple dog on a unicycle. Even the less eccentric com munity of Springfield sports its share of wall art. One of the older murals, the dancing milk bottles and Omar khayyam sky of the Springfield Creamery , dates hack to 1070. Erin Sullivan, a Eugene artist and astrologer, received free milk delivery for a year as pay ment for her artistic energies. Sue Kesey, long-time employee ol the Creamery, remembers com munity reaction when the mural was painted. “Springfield thought we were pretty atrocious when we put it in." She notes, however, that new murals are being painted in downtow n Springfield — 16 years alter Sullivan's creation was met with such criticism. Now that the Creamery has moved, there is little chance that the mural will survive. “I wish l could figure how to take the wall w ith us,“ laments Kesey. She says the new building is out on Airport Road and is less inviting to an artist's brush. Closer to campus, the Council tor Human Rights in Latin America smiles out toward the University with its friendly mural laces. According to Nelly Macon Link ol CHRLA. this mural is more than a sign or artistic whim. Link savs that, in Latin America, murals arc the “blackboards of the people." reflecting the hopes and desires of the people. The creation of a mural becomes a community project, lank says; there is a fiesta at mosphere and everyone joins in putting the bright pigments on the walls. While canvasses become entombed in parlors and galleries, the murals are forms of art that can be shared by everyone. The Kincaid Street mural was painted by Chilean artist Pancho laetelier. His father. Chilean am bassador Orlando laetelier. was assassinated in a car bomb explo sion in Washington, D C. Pancho laetelier believed that by bringing murals to the United States he could tell the North American people what was happening to his people in Chile. The mural is more than a message, however. It is a celebra tion of life, a celebration shared with everyone that sees the joy of its hold primary colors and its simplicity. CHRLA soon will be moving its offices and. like the Springfield C reamery, leaving its mural to the whims of future occupants Link says it is likely that the mural \mII be whitewashed when they leave, but she doesn't mourn its passing. Although it will be sad to see a “boring” plain wall, she says that whitewash is another part of Latin American tradition. Murals are transitory, reflecting moods, being whitewashed and leaving a wall for another depiction. Next door stands the University Bookstore, its vast expanse of white einderblocks begging for the life an artist can bring to it. Story by Alyson Simmons Photos by Bobbie Lo The mural is more than a message, however. It is a celebration of life, a celebration shared with everyone that sees the joy of its bold primary colors and its simplicity. ‘CONTACT LENSES. More than meets the eye.” Bring this ad in for a FREE consultation and screening WOODY LINN Fc is A. Certified Contact Ltinse Sfieciahsts Sinity 1973 Located at the J L IBS OPTICAL SHOPPE On the corner of 14th and Pearl Call 687-2522 J
