At the beginning of this project, a daunting one on
raising awareness of safety on the roads for pedestrians and motorists alike,
most of us had our doubts. We were a group of teenagers, painted and clueless,
out on the road performing for the greater good. It really seemed like us
against the world. We were prepared for the stares and the mocking comments
that we would inevitably receive. However, we were not prepared for the
overwhelmingly positive experience that it turned out to be.
We started out at the crossing near Forum Mall in Koramangala, on Saturday the thirteenth of October. The curious stares and whispers started as soon as we walked out in black and white paint. We assembled at the crossing and the first fifteen minutes was a bit chaotic. The original idea was to cross with the people but that did not grab their attention. So we worked out that if we just stood on the crossing it would be more effective. If a boy dancing in the middle of a crossing at peak traffic time did not grab the attention of the crowd, then nothing ever would. Our performance came together quickly and we worked like a machine. The crowd mostly consisted of people visiting the mall. We found them to be responsive and co-operative, to our surprise. They were aware of the traffic rules, when asked. Most of them were curious and came to us without any prompting from our side. We got mixed responses, though, to their photos being taken, from very willing to outright refusal. They were encouraging and appreciative of our efforts. It was a pleasing start to our project.
The next day, we set off to Mekhri Circle but did not find much of a crowd there. So we changed destination to Brigade Road. On the way we heard a lot of mocking comments being passed, which we did not encounter at Koramangala. We set up our cameras at the zebra crossings on the end of the road. We immediately felt the difference in the crowd from the previous day. The people were less co-operative and sometimes refused to use the crossing. Older, middle aged people were even mistrustful. We encountered a few drunken men and an accident that was caught on tape. Despite everything, the people appreciated our work once they understood our intention. Unfortunately, our performance had to be cut short due to unexpected rain. We were slightly disappointed but overall satisfied with the responses we received.
We did our final performance at the Market in Old Yelahanka. On our way to the crossing we were approached by many curious people to whom we gladly explained our cause. The final crossing was very different from the previous two places in that there was a lot of strictly Kannada speaking localites. They were very curious, the curiosity that you find among people from small towns, the wonder of seeing something new from their everyday lives. As it was on the outskirts, communication proved to be a challenge for most did not speak English. We found them to be apprehensive at first but when they understood our message, they became responsive and co-operative. The traffic was chaotic and most of the drivers were stubborn when asked to move back from the crossing. The people were very willing to have their photos taken, making our task easier. We were very satisfied with the way our project ended.
However, we are aware that safety is an issue that must not stop with a group of college students taking it up as their art project. Street art is never successful without a response from the public and the response we have got is both encouraging and touching. We believe that the people in Bangalore are willing to learn and to act for the better. We hope that we made a change, however small, by creating a lasting impression in the minds of those who witnessed us on the road. We also hope that it does not stop there and that they take it up as a cause to spread safety and traffic awareness to make Bangalore a much safer and walkable city.
We started out at the crossing near Forum Mall in Koramangala, on Saturday the thirteenth of October. The curious stares and whispers started as soon as we walked out in black and white paint. We assembled at the crossing and the first fifteen minutes was a bit chaotic. The original idea was to cross with the people but that did not grab their attention. So we worked out that if we just stood on the crossing it would be more effective. If a boy dancing in the middle of a crossing at peak traffic time did not grab the attention of the crowd, then nothing ever would. Our performance came together quickly and we worked like a machine. The crowd mostly consisted of people visiting the mall. We found them to be responsive and co-operative, to our surprise. They were aware of the traffic rules, when asked. Most of them were curious and came to us without any prompting from our side. We got mixed responses, though, to their photos being taken, from very willing to outright refusal. They were encouraging and appreciative of our efforts. It was a pleasing start to our project.
The next day, we set off to Mekhri Circle but did not find much of a crowd there. So we changed destination to Brigade Road. On the way we heard a lot of mocking comments being passed, which we did not encounter at Koramangala. We set up our cameras at the zebra crossings on the end of the road. We immediately felt the difference in the crowd from the previous day. The people were less co-operative and sometimes refused to use the crossing. Older, middle aged people were even mistrustful. We encountered a few drunken men and an accident that was caught on tape. Despite everything, the people appreciated our work once they understood our intention. Unfortunately, our performance had to be cut short due to unexpected rain. We were slightly disappointed but overall satisfied with the responses we received.
We did our final performance at the Market in Old Yelahanka. On our way to the crossing we were approached by many curious people to whom we gladly explained our cause. The final crossing was very different from the previous two places in that there was a lot of strictly Kannada speaking localites. They were very curious, the curiosity that you find among people from small towns, the wonder of seeing something new from their everyday lives. As it was on the outskirts, communication proved to be a challenge for most did not speak English. We found them to be apprehensive at first but when they understood our message, they became responsive and co-operative. The traffic was chaotic and most of the drivers were stubborn when asked to move back from the crossing. The people were very willing to have their photos taken, making our task easier. We were very satisfied with the way our project ended.
However, we are aware that safety is an issue that must not stop with a group of college students taking it up as their art project. Street art is never successful without a response from the public and the response we have got is both encouraging and touching. We believe that the people in Bangalore are willing to learn and to act for the better. We hope that we made a change, however small, by creating a lasting impression in the minds of those who witnessed us on the road. We also hope that it does not stop there and that they take it up as a cause to spread safety and traffic awareness to make Bangalore a much safer and walkable city.
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