The Ripple Effect

Oct 1

Emphasizing the values of communities through a pavement mural

By: Andrea Kinsella and Gabriela Sciortino

The “ripple effect” is a metaphor that describes how our individual actions reverberate through our lives. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this metaphor seems most fitting as we have relearned the effects our individual actions have on our community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has become a way to prevent the spread of the virus, however, it is often difficult to do on sidewalks. “The Ripple Effect” mural looks to alleviate this issue as it provides a visual indicator that directs pedestrian traffic and markings, allowing sidewalks to be a place that better complies with social distancing measures. The mural, painted directly on the sidewalk, allows for moments of pause, shopping, and line ups outside businesses along main streets.

The mural also offers an aesthetic value to public space. The colours provide a sense of relief. The mural is a muted blue and white which creates the illusion of a ripple of water along the sidewalk, and the soft blue colour creates a soothing effect.

This mural embodies the qualities of the abstract metaphor as it controls the flow of pedestrian movement along main streets while also offering an aesthetic value to communities. Art is a way to reflect on current situations taking place in our contemporary culture. “The Ripple Effect” is a reminder that the individual response to the COVID-19 pandemic causes a ripple effect within our society. This mural reminds us that if we work together, we can one again enjoy accessible, safe and inviting public spaces.

Details:

Budget: The estimated cost for paint: 5 gallons of Dulux paint ($90.00 average for exterior primer); Exterior acrylic latex based ($20-$50 for Dulux, Bher, or Benjamin Moore); Aerosol spray paint (Montana Black Cans - $8 per can). The cost of the additional material is roughly $2,000 but are subject to change. Cost for making, packaging, and mailing stencils to communities by designers is roughly $1,500 per kit.

Materials and Fabrication: Additional materials including but not limited to gloves, masks, paint brushes, rollers, roller extenders, chalk, bags, measuring tape, aerosol caps, exacto knives, water buckets, painters tape, paper towels/rags, drop sheets, paint cleaner tool, saran wrap or plastic bags (to protect rollers/keep wet), and stencil of mural shape (fabricated by the designers of The Ripple Effect mural and sent to interested communities). Top coat is used dependent on the communities interested in longevity of the mural. However, to extend a mural’s lifespan, a sealant is necessary to protect the integrity of the work. Top coats require about a day to dry.

Installation and Other Services: The Ripple Effect is interested in getting the community involved during the installation process. of the mural. We would invite local community members to join artists in implementing the design as we believe this would allow people to use public realm space again and positively contribute to their communities. Using local BIA's to draw attention to the event, artists and volunteer coordinators would guide the community towards implementation of the mural. This implementation process would be volunteer based and only should professional volunteer coordinators be required would there be a cost associated with this implementation process.