Just five days before the footprints, and the breeze, and the raindrops, wash away the work of chalk artists who have knelt for hours smudging their colors to create a masterpiece. For a dozen years, students have signed up to compete for cash prizes for original work, or for a close copy of a classic image. They spread out, hunkering down over large rectangular concrete canvases that fill the sidewalk on the west side of the Commons. Portraits of Cesar Chavez bump up against Van Gogh s Starry Night. Imaginary landscapes compete for attention with the enigmatic smile on the Mona Lisa.
Cultures collide in a chalky, dusty artists playground.
There is a message here about the fleeting nature of art. There is something touching about the fact that it is under your feet, visible on the way to through the commons for a cup of coffee, and completely vulnerable to the elements or to footprints or to bicycle treads. As UCR grows, the large squares of beautifully colored portraits and imaginary landscapes will disappear even faster. More foot traffic will equal briefer lives for these temporary residents. But don t worry.