Expressing the Grief of a Nation
‘A Cup of Color’ was founded by Rahel and Damon Lim with the aim of bringing art to communities suffering from oppression and poverty, which they discussed with us on a recent podcast episode. Their strong ties to Hong Kong led them to create artwork in solidarity with the democracy movement there as they advocated for artistic expression and freedom. They also began following the developing crisis in Myanmar, and collaborated with ‘Raise Three Fingers,’ creating a mural in Zurich to provide a space for expressing pain.
“We are providing a platform for people to express themselves and convey their emotions through painting.”
Rahel Lam: Sometimes people take photos, especially influencers, who go around capturing images of walls and street art. They write about Myanmar after that. I find this beneficial because it spreads awareness to those who have never heard of it. It always moves me because the more people mention Myanmar, the more it becomes recognized. There's a book I love called "I Will Never See the World Again" by a Turkish writer who was imprisoned for life. Despite his circumstances, he managed to write a book in prison. He stated that every time someone uses his words, it helps him travel the world. ‘When people talk about me, I feel alive’, he said. I believe the same applies to the walls. When people discuss the walls, when they talk about Myanmar's pain or what they've witnessed, the country comes alive! It gains recognition and occupies a space. If no one speaks about it anymore, it fades away. This is why it's crucial to create something that people will discuss. We've observed that when Myanmar people visit Zurich, they seek out the walls and are genuinely delighted. Many say it's incredibly impressive to stand in front of them.
Damon Lim: There was a particular Swiss individual who had no prior connection to Myanmar or knowledge about the country. However, when he stood in front of the wall, he was moved to tears by reading the various writings. It seemed like his heart became connected to the experiences of the people in Myanmar. This highlights the power of the wall, as it is right in front of you, allowing time to absorb and contemplate the stories depicted. It enables individuals to empathize and grasp a fraction of what the people have endured, even if it's only a small glimpse.
Rahel Lim: One fascinating aspect is that these walls are public and anyone can easily deface them with spray paint. It's a risk because anyone passing by can grab a spray can and destroy the artwork in seconds. This vulnerability bothers me personally because it hurts to see someone casually defacing the pain of others. It deeply affects me because it disrespects someone's expression. Creating images in public spaces makes us vulnerable, especially in Zurich, where it's common for people to simply spray over them. Despite that, this particular image has been there for six months, and people have only tagged the sides, but not the actual image. I found it powerful because it demonstrates that the image carries something significant that people hesitate to touch or completely erase.
Damon Lim: It's important to acknowledge that many artists tend to be egoistic, seeking recognition for their own art. However, in our case, we are not creating our own art; we are providing a platform for people to express themselves and convey their emotions through painting. This approach allows artists to be both moved and challenged by the experience. Instead of solely focusing on self-expression, we are reflecting and facilitating a space for others to share their artistic voice.