I feel like a nerd for loving the concept and execution of Maya Barkai’s ‘Walking Men 99.' Walking Men 99 is a crowdsourced public art installation in New York City that is comprised of different "walking men" from cities worldwide.
The walking men are all crowdsourced--Maya Barkai has set up a website for people to send in photos of their city's crosswalk walking man symbol. The purpose of Walking Men 99 is a noble one: it is a part of the RE: Construction Public Art Project, the goal of which is to make construction sites more aesthetically pleasing. Looks like the Yankees aren’t the only thing to see in NYC anymore.
Crowdsourced Crosswalk Art
Maya Barkai Spruces up Construction Sites With 'Walking Men 99'
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Art Installations - There is an opportunity to create more crowdsourced public art as a way to beautify urban areas and construction sites.
2. Municipal Art Initiatives - Cities can use public art as a way to enhance community engagement, instill a sense of civic pride, and make cityscapes more visually appealing.
3. Community-sourced Design - The practice of soliciting input from members of a community can be used in various design projects to ensure that the final product is relevant to the people it's intended for.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Construction companies can partner with artists to implement creative solutions that beautify construction sites and improve public perception of their work.
2. Municipalities - Local governments can allocate funds for public art installations, beautification projects and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting community engagement.
3. Creative Industries - Artists, designers and creative professionals can work together to create innovative solutions that utilize crowdsourcing and community engagement to enhance urban areas and boost local economies.