Lagos is undergoing a positive change that will alter how it has been previously perceived aesthetically says FUNKE OSAE-BROWN.
Food blogger Iquo Ukoh was driving through Maryland on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way for the launch of a phone at Renaissance Hotel when she spotted a new art installation. She was awed by its beauty and decided to take a picture of it with her new phone through her car window.
“I was amazed by its beauty,” she told the gathering. “I was just trying out the new phone I have. The camera quality truly brought out the beauty of the artwork although I took the picture with the car window wound up.”
Ukoh is not the only resident of Lagos who has noticed the beauty creeping over the beloved city. In the last one year, the entire Lagos landscape has been changing with installation of artworks across the five divisions of the state. ‘The Nerve Centre’ standing tall at the Maryland roundabout, residents agree, is an artwork whose presence has altered positively the entire Maryland landscape.
COMMUNITY Monument at Ile-Zik, Raoundabout.
It is not only Maryland that has enjoyed the new artistic transformation of Lagos, Ojodu Berger now proudly called Ojodu Ambode, a recent christening done by the residents of the area to show their solidarity for the new look Ojodu Berger now wears. The installation of the ‘Big Foot’ at Ojodu Berger roundabout has brought a dramatic beauty to a hitherto chaotic area largely inhabited by the middle and lower classes.
“Beyond beautifying the area,” says Biodun Adamu, a resident of Omole Estate, “it shows that art is not for the rich as it has been the perception. “For me, the poor can also appreciate the beauty of art; and we have all been enjoying the ‘Big Foot’ anytime we drive through Berger.”
For Adamu, the sculpture is symbolic in many ways. He recalls arriving Lagos 37 years ago from Ibadan after being advised by his late cousin that Lagos is a city for the smart. “You can’t afford to be sluggish when you get to Lagos,” he says while recalling his cousin’s advice. “You must learn to put your best foot forward all the time.” I could not help but agree with Adamu, Lagos is a resilient city that doesn’t indulge the slothful. It is a city that rewards hard work and the only way is to put the best foot forward always.
Indeed, art in any form is known to improve the visual quality of public spaces. These public art installations transform public spaces from ordinary civic areas to sites that can lift the spirit and connect with the community. Implementation of art installations in Lagos has helped to enrich the public environment and preserve, enhance the artistic and civic pride of the state.
Ojuloge Statue Opposite National Theater, Iganmu,Lagos
Lagos is not the only city that has adopted art in public places. In Miami, in the United States of America, there is a programme designed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami-Dade Art in Public Places. It was established in 1973 with the passage of an ordinance allocating 1.5 percent of construction cost of new county buildings for the purchase or commission of artworks. Art in Public Places is overseen by a citizens’ Trust appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Trust receives recommendations on acquisitions and commissions from the Professional Advisory Committee, an independent group of professionals in the field of art, art history, public art, architecture, landscape architecture and architectural history.
“Beautifying public space with art is all part of the governor’s vision to transform the city,” explains Steve Ayorinde, Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy. “His idea is to have Lagos described as a city with vibrant artistic soul. We are beautifying the city; we are recognising the creative community. The 25 works that were commissioned previously will take us into the next phase, so it means that more will soon be commissioned. These are works that will be done by different artists; we are glad that art is recognised, artists are getting engaged and Lagos is being rebranded as a city with an artistic soul.”
With about 25 artworks installed across the state at diverse sites including Ile-Zik roundabout, Ikeja Local Airport road, Ozumba Mbadiwe, CMS Walkway, Inner Marina, Tinubu Square, Lateef Jakande Road, Allen Junction, Abraham Adesanya roundabout in Ajah among other places, the entire Lagos landscape is changing from what it used to be four years ago.
Recently, ‘The Fish’ sculpture was unveiled at Lekki- Epe T- junction in Epe Local Government by the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by Adebimpe Akinsola, the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture. The sculpture is a symbolic expression of the vocation of the Epe people. A proof that planning must have gone into the conception and execution of the projects as each artwork speaks to the soul of the vicinity its erected in.
The newly renovated Tinubu Square fountain located on Broad street in the heart of Lagos Central Business District is another artwork that has improved visually the Broad Street scenery. The piece celebrates the selfless leadership, valour and bravery of Madam Efunroye Tinubu including her significant contribution to commerce and general development of Lagos. The sculpture rightly placed in one of the busiest Lagos business districts is a symbol of drudgery, bravery of an average market women who toil daily to make ends meet in the popular Balogun market. It reflects their contributions to the business world in a state that has become the rallying point for traders from the West African sub-region.
“Monuments are erected all over the world as a way of preserving human history and upholding societal values and ethics, says governor Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by Akinsola at the unveiling of the Madam Efunroye Tinubu’s statue, earlier in January.
“We have embarked on strategic investment of building more iconic monuments and renovating historical sites across the state. The decision to renovate the Tinubu Square fountain was informed by the need to upgrade all historical monuments to the status befitting our dear State in terms of physical features, values and aesthetical appeal for tourists and visitors.”
Historians have agreed that creative art especially its installation in public places have helped in defining and expanding a community’s identity.
“A project like this will enhance the artistic heritage of people,” says Abiola Oladapo, a doctor of history. It will give dimension to the public environment for residents and visitors. It will also increase public awareness to works of art, and promote understanding, awareness of the visual arts. It is a way to document history and bring it to public glare. It will give the state national visibility in the arts. It is commendable that the current administration is helping to develop a unique and vital aspect of the environment.”
Tope Olaide, an architect says a good public space can create new developments by influencing how people relate to their homes, surrounding communities and the city.
“Art plays a critical role in this,” she explains. “Art is just as vital as the design of the buildings themselves. Therefore, it is important to support its quality and experience. Art in public places as we have in Lagos now is plays a fundamental role in the development of exceptional public spaces. It will create and encourage great partnerships between the built environment and the visual arts sectors.”
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