We’re delighted to have this story and photographs by Alan Ryan (check him out on Twitter):
In Dublin city grey traffic light boxes are being given a vibrant face-lift! It’s all part of the Dublin City Beta project – a new approach from Dublin City Council to experiment, test ideas and innovate directly on the streets of the capital. The most important thing they ask for is your opinion.
The Beta projects are taking place in what’s known as the beta area.
The traffic light box art is one of the first projects in the beta initiative. Designers were given a brief asking them to create something that reinforced or enhanced the identity of that area of the city.
After a selection process the artist and artwork were chosen and earlier this year the painting of the traffic light boxes got underway.
It is hoped that the project will save the council money, enhance the area around, and strengthen the identity of the area in the minds of people who may have a relationship with the area, be it living, working, visiting or just passing through there.
Traffic light boxes were chosen because they attract graffiti and stickers, which make them look untidy.
The council then has to paint and re-paint these boxes on a regular basis which costs them money.
Francis Quinn an artist, who is photographed below, was just starting his painting. He said: “I’m so happy to finally get this started, I’ve been waiting all month for a bit of good weather.”
Take a look at some of the artwork:
