This summer, graffiti artist Jef Aérosol is transforming Northeastern’s urban campus into a public art destination. Joining the pieces created by previous visiting artists (El Mac, Daniel Anguilu, and Shepard Fairey) Aérosol’s work will be visible by passers-by, “creating art for the entire public community to enjoy—not just Northeastern but all of Boston” (Boston.com) President Joseph Aoun hopes that through this public art initiative, the campus will continue to bring life and excitement to an area already filled with creative venues. Within walking distance from the university are the Museum of Fine Arts, Mass College of Art and Design, and the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum.
As of mid-June, Aérosol has already created nearly ten pieces of stencil graffiti across Northeastern’s campus, and there are more to come. According to the university’s vice president of communications Renata Nyul, “it seems like the entire Northeastern community is very happy and excited about getting this art--” as they should be (Boston.com)! Currently, there are no plans to cover or remove any of the murals.
Northeastern’s public art initiative joins the growing trend of public art across Boston, adding to a multitude of works such as the Seven Moon Junction by Shinique Smith on the Greenway and the Stairs of Fabulousness by Liz LaManche at City Hall. This development is one that is very interesting to follow, as public art elevates the importance of the creative community by demonstrating the role of art as a public good.
If you want to see more public art like the works of Jef Aérosol across the city, you have an opportunity to make your voice heard. Boston Creates Leadership Council is currently facilitating conversations around our community’s vision for arts and culture. Community input and ideas will be utilized to create an in-depth cultural plan for Boston’s future to be enacted June 2016.
Please share your thoughts about what our city needs with the hashtag #BostonCreates from now through September, and look out for the MASSCreative team at arts and cultural events across the city this summer.
