Comments on Street Art in Amman, Jordan. With thanks to Undergound Amman tour.
I think maybe, for the first time in my life, I understand Street Art.
Last week I joined a walking tour in Amman, Jordan called underground Amman. The tour starts on Jabal Amman, the top of the hill. We walk together as a group guided by an artist.
He tells us the stories and histories behind and under each piece of art.
He tells us about the artists and where they have come from and where they will go.
He tells us about the murals and what they are of and what they mean.
We follow the trail down to Downtown. Going deeper into the hopes and heartbreaks, the dreams, desires, and despairs, of the artists and people in Jordan and the wider Arab community.
Even the cold robots cry over the city. The paper boat has no water. The mermaid is dehydrated. The lemon wants its lemon back. Cement covers the mouth of the blue boy. The refugee child has empty eyes, ears, and heart.
The text reads lost and love simultaneously.
Continuing on, we learn that we are the ship, we are the wind, and we are the sea. Together, in hope and determination the ship will move as we choose. Women find freedom in choosing to cover or to uncover. The watermelon is served worldwide. There is defiance in this community. The frog will scream and shout until the police listen.
What I have learnt from the street Artists of Amman is that they stand for each other and they stand for
truth. They make art for everyone with respect and with fine skills. Art that is beautiful and striking.
Striking in the way that it stops you in your direction and catches your eye between the tall buildings. Striking also as it slaps you in the face to wake you up.
We finish the tour up on the opposite hill from where we started. From Jabal Al Lweibdeh we look over the city.
We say our thanks to our guide with a big tip, a 10 outta 10, and a 5 star google review.
Tour- Underground Amman @undergroundamman
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