Page 34 - Studio International - April 1973

Political street art in Visitors to Chile are struck by the political
slogans painted on just about every square inch
of available wall-space : huge illuminated letters
Santiago or crude pictures; mostly carried out at night
when the police are off duty; most of them done
by the brigades of young artists. It is a real and
living art — but ephemeral, because, in a matter
of days, political groups of the Opposition will
(Top) support Allende). Rojas a la CUT. Rojas is the name make sure that each new painting is obliterated,
BRP. Brigada Ramona Parra, the most famous of of a candidate. CUT, Central Unica de Trabajadores, and the Opposition candidate's name daubed in
the militant groups of young artists. Their the central union of workers equivalent to the
distinguishing uniform is a painter's overall and British TUC. its place. Each 'side' is continually overpainting
a crash helmet. the other side's propaganda. The photographs
(Bottom left) shown were taken in Santiago last September.
(Middle row left) BEC. Brigada Elmo Catalan, another young militant
JJCC. UTE. Juventudes Comunistas of the group of artists. The paintings will long since have vanished.
Universidad Tecnica del Estado (State Technical (Bottom right) Artists run classes and workshops in all the
University). Afiches para el Gobierno Popular. Setiembre 7o-72. `houses of culture'. In addition, people
A group of artists from the University of Chile isolated in the settlements and shanty-towns in
(Middle row right) bought this building in the smart centre of Santiago
Lista A, MAPU. (List A of MAPU, Movimiento de and turned it into a school of art with workshops and and around the cities get artists to come and
Accion Popular, a left-wing movement which broke studios. Here they make and sell posters in support organize free regular workshops on the spot.
away from the Christian Democrats in order to of the UP government. Early in 1970, to help finance Allende's
campaign, artists from France, Italy and
Spain donated some of their works for sale in
Chile. Allende, however, decided that these
works should form the basis of a new museum
of modern and experimental art, the Museum
of Solidarity, to be housed in Santiago's new
UNCTAD conference building.
In 1971, an international committee was set up
and artists' contributions have come from the
USA, Italy, France, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay,
Mexico, Cuba. Works contributed by British
artists will be exhibited next June in London's
Institute of Contemporary Arts before being
sent to Chile. q
MONICA PIDGEON

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