In my formative years of education, I remember taking a liking to art classes. Before I got a chance to discover whether I had a talent that was worth honing, the Kenyan government decided to scrap off Art and Craft courses from the primary school education curriculum. As a result, people’s attitudes about the arts changed leading to it being overlooked and undervalued. Compounded by stories of starving artists, most artists in the country are usually dissuaded from taking up full-time careers in the arts as it is not seen as a viable career path because one cannot earn a decent living from it without supplementing their income with another vocation.
I started contributing to Google maps in 2010 as a student at the University of Nairobi, the overarching incentive to participate back then which still holds true today was to use my geospatial skills for the good of my community by ensuring that data on Google maps is geographically sound thus enriching the navigation experience for users of the platform. Over the last 9 years, my contributions to Google maps through google mapmaker and now the local guides program has led me to uncover interests that I long thought had eluded me. I have also stumbled upon new passions such as photography and videography which have led me to rediscover and reclaim my love for art.
The Kenyan society is yet to fully grasp the importance of art in inspiring creativity, supporting social cohesion, documenting our life stories/cultures and even its use as therapy for combating stress. To change perceptions and negative stigma, I use Google maps to highlight galleries and artworks through reviews, upload of photographs and videos of artwork as a way to advocate for artists and their work. I tag the photos and videos with #ArtGoodForTheHeart hashtag to elicit interest from the public and make this specific content on maps easier to find. The publishing of these artworks on the platform gives local artists much-needed exposure and the capacity to engage a wide range of audiences due to the extensive use of the application worldwide for navigation. The accessibility offered by Google maps also opens up opportunities for artists to monetize their art. Uploading these artworks on the platform gives them timelessness and longevity as they are archived online
Google maps is the perfect medium for democratizing art as it makes it accessible to many people which helps to promote art awareness and this is important because I believe that art should not be the preserve of a few art aficionados and should be consumed by all just the way books and music are enjoyed.
Please see below some art pieces by various artists that were on exhibition at the Circle Art Agency in Nairobi recently.
Me encanto tu post @InnocensiaO , todo lo que tu dices lo comparto 100%, el arte también es importante en la sociedad, no todo es trabajos mas formales o tradicionales, también esta todo esto que es admirar la belleza de las creaciones de personas que tienen una sensibilidad diferente frente al mundo, por eso también es tan importante para nosotros como Local Guides destacar esto en los mapas de Google, marcando o dando de alta todos los lugares con obras artísticas, o las plazas donde existen obras artística, y en especial los museos de bellas artes, en mi caso me gusta visitar un Museo Fueguino de Artes, que existe en la ciudad donde vivo y cada vez que lo visito hay nuevas obras de arte y les tomo foto para darlas de alta en el sitio, eso es como lo que indicas, de perpetuar en el tiempo esa obra de arte que se expone.
Ahora tu realizas arte como hobby, si tienes algo luego compártelo en un post.
Saludos Farid
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Hi @FaridTDF , glad to have your support on this. I love the arts. It makes me happy when I’m sad and always gets my creative juices flowing. I’d love for various art enthusiasts who are local guides to help in advocating for artists so they can earn a decent living and also just simply share the art on Google maps because of its beauty and inspiration.
An enlightening and passionate post from an incredible human being. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about your origin with GMaps and your passion for bringing awareness to the arts by utilizing this platform.
@SP31 , you are too kind Steve. It takes one amazing human to know another
I’m usually amazed at the wonderful things the local guides program has brought to my life. Right now I’m really having fun at Galleries and meeting artists who have the breathtaking talent and so inspirational.
@InnocensiaO it’s so awesome that through the program you have found many fascinating interests and causes to explore and dive deep into while subsequently sharing your knowledge with us. A true testament to this community and program .
This is beautiful @InnocensiaO . You are so right about the importance of art, and unfortunately also about how it can take society (and individuals) so long to grasp that. Thank you for sharing these pieces with us, and for promoting and preserving art by making it a part of your contributions. Do you have a list of galleries or locations where you have uploaded art? I would love to see more…
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