Have you ever walked down a street that was painted in the most captivating colors? Have you looked out your window, and gazed upon buildings that were shades of purple, turquoise and orange? Have you wandered into an alleyway that was decorated in all the colors of the rainbow? Maybe you have, if you were lucky, but most likely you haven't. Until now, that is.
With the Let's Colour Project in action, you are more likely than ever to see the above mentioned scenery. All around the world.
What is the Let's Colour Project?
The Let’s Colour Project is as wonderful as its name suggests. It is an international movement from paint manufacturers Dulux, Dulux Valentine, Coral and Marshall to transform grey spaces into bright colorful ones. "A mission to spread colour all over the world".
Volunteers and locals literally roll up their sleeves to paint streets, houses, schools and whole communities in the most beautiful and vibrant colors. They've already painted areas in India, Turkey, France, and the UK. And they're not stopping any time soon. It’s only the beginning of a brilliant initiative that everyone can join.
Painting the World
Since they started, in March 2010, The Let’s Colour Project added color to the places below in the following order:
Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Along with the local community, local artists and volunteers painted streets, homes and a hotel lobby in shades of blue and purple. Anyone who visits the famous Lapa stairs will be able to enjoy the scenery. The colors were chosen to complement the existing red and yellow tiles on the Lapa stairs.
Aulnay-sous-bois, Paris, France: The Project painted a formerly grey, highly frequented car park, in addition to a residential building that overlooks a market, in hues of pink, orange and purple. The project was so successful, that local residents began hosting their own painting events!
Tower Hamlets, London, UK: Teachers, parents and children transformed Virginia Primary School’s playground, hallways and classrooms into a vibrant and colorful place. The colors chosen were joyful ones such as yellows, greens, pinks and reds.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India: Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City, was where the Project went next. Members of the community, men and women alike, painted the Purohiton Ki Haveli community square, a boy’s school and a building on the high street in shades of blue, purple and pink.
Marseille & Lyon & Paris, France: The Project invited three artists to celebrate color in 3 French cities, Marseille, Lyon and Paris using a mix of art, music and photography. Mural artist MWM painted one wall in each city, directors Le Groupuscule captured the progress of each wall, and finally musician Monsieur Monsieur will create a soundtrack for the footage, which you can view at www.wallsaredancing.fr.
Istanbul, Turkey: The Project moved on to Turkey, specifically to a 400 year old unique street of Istanbul called "Ayrilik Cesmesi Sokagi" (The Fountain of Departure). The Fountain of Departure saw Marshall Paint workers, painters, volunteers, and locals bringing color, and bringing an end, to a grey and dark part of history.
We can't wait until the Let's Colour Project reaches the Gulf. It is a brilliant movement, and one that promises to bring light and energy to everyone, everywhere. Who would have thought that a simple coat of paint on an old drab wall can bring happiness to someone's life?
If the world is not going to be a greener place, it might as well be a rainbow one.
Read more about the Let's Colour Project at www.letscolourproject.com
Check out their photographs at www.flickr.com/photos/letscolour
– Alya Al-Othman
