Best of Sidewalk Art

Please view this image large. I am posting three sidewalk art

images to share this unique medium and interesting experience

with you. This painting won Best of Show for 2011. These

images are categorized as architecture because - short lived as

they are - they become a part of the landscape architecture of the

park. One day each year SCAD, Savannah School of Art and

Design, students display their talents by painting with chalk on

the sidewalks of Forsyth Park. My wife and I had never before

seen this kind of presentation. I share these images to give you a

chance to enjoy the event, not to create artful images of my own.

I hope you enjoy them and appreciate your comments. Larry

An interesting and thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience it is too. I wonder if the appreciation of the public is heightened in the knowledge that the display is temporary and once viewed will never be witnessed again, except of course in photographs such as this. I also wonder how the artists feel knowing that the work they have created will soon be gone. Great series thanks for sharing Larry.

Best Regards

Alf

Alf,

First, thanks for looking at these images and commenting on them. You raise good questions - I only have guesses or surmises for answers.  The public is made up of many tourists (April is the height of the tourist season).  They (we included) are as transient as the art.  Savannahans throng to the event in large numbers.   We went late, and the park was still quite crowded.  We learned of the event from our B&B proprietors, who value seeing it and take their daughter to see it each year.  They marvel at the superb work of the students that is created in a day to be gone within two or three more.  What we know is that there's a plethora of artistic talent around; we as photographers like to count ourselves in creating it. Still, few artist and photographers become known or successful in living off of their art.  The students may do this as student projects. SCAD is a fairly large school with a student body of about 9,000.  We spoke with a few students and learned that they come to SCAD from all over the country.  Many residents resent the fact that SCAD acquires so many buildings at lower rates than the general public would pay.  SCAD owns over 60.  For instance, they get breaks to rehab buildings in the historic district that individual citizens like B&B owners don't get.  Thanks again, for your interest,  Alf.

Well done.  Best Regards,