Malaysia Censors Lego-Themed Mural as "bad for investment and tourism"
Written by: Rob O'Brien
Date Written: December 3, 2013
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The city council of Johor Bahru, Malaysia had recently white washed a mural that they had previously asked Lithuanian street artist, Ernest Zacharevic, to paint in order to promote the city's image (see mural above). "The robber gives an image that is not good for out country, investment, and tourism," said a city official. However, the whitewashing of the mural has only brought more attention to it. Zacharevic's inbox has exploded with encouraging messages since the incident. Many people believe that instead of dealing with the mural, the city officials should instead focus on the real issue at hand: Malaysia's crime rate.
I think that it was pointless of the city council to hire a painter and white wash his mural because they disliked it. Whitewashing the mural had only brought more attention to the mural and Malaysia's increasing crime rate. The city officials should have asked the painter to sketch out his mural first so that they could approve it. If they had done so, less money and time would have been wasted. I also believe that the city officials are handling the issue the wrong way. If the city officials are so worried about the reputation of their country, they should work on lowering their crime rate.
This article contains excerpts of the reporter's interview with the mural's painter, Zacharevic. Within his interview, Zacharevic says that if he had reacted to every criticism he received, he would never paint a single painting. He continues on saying that he supports democracy. His response ties into the culture of every country. An artist's purpose in painting is to express their feelings, emotions, and ideas. Painting is just a part of freedom of expression. Art is an important part of culture in not only Malaysia, but all countries, because it is a way, for many people, to share their feelings.
Date Written: December 3, 2013
Click here to read this article
The city council of Johor Bahru, Malaysia had recently white washed a mural that they had previously asked Lithuanian street artist, Ernest Zacharevic, to paint in order to promote the city's image (see mural above). "The robber gives an image that is not good for out country, investment, and tourism," said a city official. However, the whitewashing of the mural has only brought more attention to it. Zacharevic's inbox has exploded with encouraging messages since the incident. Many people believe that instead of dealing with the mural, the city officials should instead focus on the real issue at hand: Malaysia's crime rate.
I think that it was pointless of the city council to hire a painter and white wash his mural because they disliked it. Whitewashing the mural had only brought more attention to the mural and Malaysia's increasing crime rate. The city officials should have asked the painter to sketch out his mural first so that they could approve it. If they had done so, less money and time would have been wasted. I also believe that the city officials are handling the issue the wrong way. If the city officials are so worried about the reputation of their country, they should work on lowering their crime rate.
This article contains excerpts of the reporter's interview with the mural's painter, Zacharevic. Within his interview, Zacharevic says that if he had reacted to every criticism he received, he would never paint a single painting. He continues on saying that he supports democracy. His response ties into the culture of every country. An artist's purpose in painting is to express their feelings, emotions, and ideas. Painting is just a part of freedom of expression. Art is an important part of culture in not only Malaysia, but all countries, because it is a way, for many people, to share their feelings.