Left turn, right turn, u-turn, white lane lines and numbers indicating the required speed limit – these are road surface markings one can see on the road. However, on the road known as the academic oval of University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the creativity of different university organizations are in full display through a different kind of street painting.
No one knows exactly where the practice of street painting originated in UP Diliman. Story has it that it started when one organization painted their name on the road. Then, one after another, different organizations started to do the same.
Usually, road surface marking is used to convey a specific information or instruction. They are used to provide guidance and information to people who are driving or walking along the streets. In the same manner, road paintings in UPD also inform people about certain campaigns or organizations by providing a creative venue for communication between members of a particular organization and passers-by.
"We paint on the road because roads are more visible”, said Pascual, a road painter for the Christian Brotherhood International (CBI) in UPD. “One may argue that roads are often taken for granted - that very argument is the point of road painting - making something formerly invisible to become interestingly visible.”
In terms of place, Pascual said that “It can be anywhere, but if you consider maximum visibility, the right place would be in front of highly populated colleges in UP.” In fact, if one passes by the walk way between AS (Palma Hall) and the Faculty Center (Rizal Hall), one will be able to find lots of road paintings by different organizations.
Road paintings in UP are usually done in bright and glowing colors in order to make them stand out against the rough black road asphalt. Most occupy an area about the same size as a car. Some depict the symbols and slogans of the organizations which created them.
Reasons for deciding to advocate one's organization through street paintings can be varied. “Paintings are usually done to commemorate an organization's founding anniversary, although many times they have used the visual medium as an avenue for political messages.” said Lozarie, vice president of CBI in UPD. One militant organization incorporated a zebra crossing in front of Palma Hall in their art. The pedestrian lane became prison cell bars, behind which were UP students turned political prisoners.
The art of road painting can also be considered as a manifestation of UP culture - the creativity of the form used as a means for expression.
Looking for something interesting during your stay in UP Diliman? Always look at the road for it might lead you to what you are looking for.
This is the pinacle of brilliant writing. I never knew so much insight could be drawn from "Road Art". You have discovered something so provocative.
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