Guerrilla Art: Improving Public Space

A French artist, “JR,” installed a giant cutout of an infant peering over the U.S.-Mexico border wall shortly after President Trump’s announcement to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This instalment is an example of guerrilla art, or art displayed publicly without permits from the government usually for political purposes. JR’s piece captures the true purpose of DACA- fulfilling a child’s curiosity by providing the opportunities for children illegal immigrants to have a better life in the United States. What used to be a dull, prohibiting eyesore was transformed into a powerful, more attractive POI.

This specific guerrilla artwork was legally approved to be installed on the Mexican side for a month, but many others are done illegally. Many argue that for this reason, guerrilla art violates the public space and opinion. Although some guerrilla artists take it to the extreme such as naked Donald Trump statues, most others are an appropriate and nonverbal way of protest. In fact, most public spaces are beautified and improved through guerrilla artists: only professional artists have the resources and connections to ever produce public art. For example, the “Charging Bull” of Wall Street done by Di Modica portrayed the strength of the “Bull Market” and inspired Americans during the harsh recession. Now, it is a popular New York City attraction and a stout symbol of the city. You can almost think of it as a commissioned public art to the city done free of charge by talented artists.

 

However, the political interpretations of guerrilla art create conflict such as in case of the “Fearless Girl.” This guerrilla artwork uses the “Charging Bull” as the male-dominant culture of Wall Street that the “Fearless Girl” bravely stand up against. The controversy is that while the statue portrays a message on feminist empowerment in the business workplace, it alters the meaning of the “Charging Bull.” And I believe that this is the fascinating part of guerrilla art: the very purpose of the “Peaking Infant” and “Fearless Girl” is to start conversation. In starting these conversations, the interpretations of the same artwork changes to better suit the society as it evolves. This is the intent of guerrilla art- to challenge norms and express freely- all the while improving public space.