When visiting Berlin, Germany in 2011, I was inspired by the most normal of experiences: crossing the street. Fifty years prior to my stroll across a hard-to-pronounce, multi-syllabled German street, the East Berlin Traffic Commission hired Peglau to design new pedestrian traffic symbols that would help reduce the amount of traffic accidents that arose due to the ever-increasing number of vehicles.

Peglau created what came to be known as the ‘Ampelmännchen’; human symbols Peglau described as having “an aura of coziness and human warmth”. The green pedestrian light reminded me of a cricket umpire, and the red light resembled an umpire calling a ‘wide’ ball. Peglau’s East Berlin traffic symbols became so popular that even when the unified German government decided to remove them in the early 1990s, a successful campaign was launched to save the Ampelmännchen. You can now find it everywhere in Berlin; one of the most prominently preserved legacies of the Communist East.

I was just crossing the street. I’ve spent hours if not days in some of the world’s most prominent galleries and museums. I’ve stood inches away from Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’, Delacroix’s ‘Liberty Leading the People’, Michaelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam’, and countless other masterpieces of architecture, sculpture, and design; yet none of them stopped me in time like the first moment I spotted the Ampelmännchen.

You should probably doubt my appreciation of art when I claim that a traffic symbol inspired me more than a priceless Da Vinci masterpiece. It’s not that I don’t appreciate most forms of art, it’s just that I have preference for artwork that doesn’t discriminate; artwork that anyone can access regardless of their social or economic background, artwork you don’t have to pay to see, artwork with purpose and intent, artwork that begs to rest naked and open to judgment.

After my visit to Berlin I contacted the design team behind the campaign to save and repurpose the Ampelmännchen to ask if they had an interest in designing a version for Bermuda. They had already designed dozens of localised pedestrian traffic symbols for other cities, and were keen on partnering to give Bermuda its own Peglau-inspired traffic symbol. My pitch to local officials wasn’t fruitful and the project never materialised, however in hindsight my rejected proposal spring-boarded a passion for public art and helping to advocate and bring more of it to Bermuda.

The last several years have been very challenging with regards to lobbying public officials for more consideration for public art, albeit there have been moments of tangible progress. Most of them classify it as a non-essential public feature; one that has little tangible benefit when compared to civil engineering, road management, and the everyday business of a country. I’ve deviated from my use of the term public art to be more specific. I don’t ask for consideration for public art anymore, I request that investments in targeted beautification are made for the economic improvement of residential and/or commercial neighbourhoods. Quite a mouthful, but otherwise it has been difficult to explain the notion that inviting and retaining pedestrians via visual forms of art increases their chances of staying in an area and browsing for goods and services.

Personally speaking, once you have lived in Bermuda for an extended period of time it can be difficult to obtain inspiration from everyday scenery, and waiting to be inspired is ill advised. I’ve listened to perennial statements by the island’s elite for a new Hamilton waterfront to be constructed, for the pedestrianisation of city streets, for the creation of beach bars and boardwalks, for a general increase in adult-oriented recreation, and other grandiose projects and initiatives that have never materialised.

The time I have spent on public art isn’t just to help make Bermuda look prettier; every project I have been involved with is a form of protest. A disapproval of the perceived lack of forward vision, a lack of anti-blight ordinances, an outcry against well-paid public officials and the inertia that accompanies them when it comes to a lack of visible change in our built environment. The art is pretty, the motivation less so.

An opportunity arose in the Summer of 2015 to propose a public art project for the City of Hamilton. I knew immediately what I wanted to design and lobby for, and it was approved. I didn’t request to be paid for my time involved as I didn’t want to be. These types of projects are gifts to my younger self; each a reminder to not lose youthful idealism. The emotional currency of knowing people I’ll never meet will get to enjoy a revitalised space, and that nearby businesses will benefit from increased foot traffic, cannot be counted despite being constantly deposited.

Since October of last year a sweeping light installation extending throughout the entirety of Chancery Lane on Front Street has helped turn what was once a dark and uninviting alley into Bermuda’s most photographed street. Anyone of any background, without discrimination, can enjoy being exposed to artwork that was designed with purpose, designed with intent, designed from frustration; a child of Karl Peglau.

This article first appeared in RG Fall magazine in 2016.

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Michael Cacy

Michael Cacy graduated BFA with honours Art Center College of Design (Los Angeles) 1969. He worked as graphic designer, illustrator, motion picture art director, and agency art director, serving needs of agencies, corporate clients, and publishers worldwide. With over thirty national awards, including the “Art Masters Award” (American Artist Magazine) 1995, the “Vargas Award” for lifetime achievement (New York 1997) and the winner of “The Sergeant’s Cup” for Marine Art 2016 Bermuda. He taught professionally oriented workshops in 11 states and nine countries.

“Vivid Bermuda” by Michael Cacy – Located at Church Street Taxi Stand (pictured above):

This 20 foot mural depicts various Bermuda icons, but more importantly reflects the rich array of colours that exist here. Composition includes a heron, flora, moon and stars, St. David’s lighthouse (finish line for various boating races…complete with international alphabet flags, which to a sailor, spell “BER”), barracuda, sun, hibiscus, longtail, and a sea turtle.

Robyn Hooper

Robyn Hooper was born and raised in Bermuda. She is grateful to have also lived in Canada and Scotland while pursuing her studies as a teacher. Robyn is currently a Foundation Year teacher at Saltus Grammar School. She has been teaching art to students of all ages for six years. Most recently opening The Painted Gate Art Studio, where she hosts painting parties for all occasions. She has exhibited her work at the Bermuda Art Centre Dockyard and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Robyn enjoys working with acrylics in vibrant colours and loves the opportunity to paint large scale murals.

“Nourish Your Soul” by Robyn Hooper – Located on Dundonald Street

We stand here as guardians, supported by those who’ve left an impression on our hearts; honouring them as we love and empower each other. We nourish our souls with love by embracing the living and appreciating those who will be remembered always. It’s in our hands now…

Fungus Arts Collective

FUNGUS was created by artist James Cooper as a platform to collaborate with other artists on larger scaled projects. In this instance the two artists involved are James Cooper and Signe Constable. FUNGUS has been invited to participate in numerous local and international events including the Ghetto Biennale in Port au Prince Haiti, Infecting the City street art festival in Cape Town South Africa and the Bacardi Bermuda Biennial at the National Gallery. Fungus designed and built the PlayHouse children Museum at the National Museum in Dockyard.

“Inspirational Graffiti” by Fungus Arts Collective – Located in Washington Lane, Courtesy of the Dismont Building

We want to establish a looser less figurative aesthetic in public art. We would hope this mural inspires people to engage in public art themselves, perhaps even adding something to this wall. With this project we started with the idea of illustrating inspiring athletic feats, using simple text and lines to bring some interesting local facts into the public realm. As the wall needed some additional love, we further abstracted these ideas of leaping into a larger wall covering. We work in an intuitive and free way, and we hope this energy and vitality is shared through the final piece.

Charmaine Friday

Charmaine Friday – mom, wife and educator. Over the past 2 decades she has been selling her art work at Harbour Nights, Heritage Nights, Destination Dockyard and countless hotels and craft shows across the island. She has also been an Ambassador for Bermuda during this time. Charmaine has met and sold to people from the 4 corners of the globe, that visit our shores. The opportunity to help beautify our island home on a grand scale was a welcomed challenge. Charmaine has been told by tourists and locals alike that my art is “Happy Art.” Hopefully my love of vivid colours and whimsical Bermuda motifs help to brighten and enhance the City of Hamilton.

The Future is in Our Hands by Charmaine Friday – Located at The Bus Terminal, Victoria Street

“The Future is in Our Hands ” was inspired by the fact that we as Bermudians must all lift our hands and be encouraged to preserve and protect our heritage, cultural traditions and most importantly our people. This magical little gem in the Atlantic must and should be cherished and protected. From our pastel houses, stunning beaches, to our magnificent sunsets; from the sweetest loquats, to our kind and beautiful people. Bermuda is truly Another World!

Alshante Foggo

Alshante Foggo, creative director of DBA (Designs by Alshante), is an up and coming local artist with a large and ever growing local and international following. She has had the opportunity to work with major celebrity artists, was a prize winner at the 2014 City Fashion Festival Local Designer Showcase and was awarded the 2015 Best of Bermuda Local Artist/Designer award.

Social Media has provided the platform to showcase her artwork and passion for art to the world. She has watched her skills as a self-taught artist evolve with time, dedication and eagerness to continue developing as an artist. This project in particular has challenged her skillset and provided her with a larger audience to witness her designs. It levels her as a contender in the fine arts arena by providing something new and fresh that can be appreciated by all ages.

“Flourish your Mind” by Alshante Foggo – Located at Victoria Park Restrooms

Flourish your mind is composed of geometric multi-coloured shapes, bright Bermuda waters flowing through a woman’s face with hibiscus and Bermudian flowers in her hair.

I like to think that my artwork expresses big emotions such as happiness, energy, and peace. I love to play with radiant colours. Not only do I want to move people by the relationship of colours but more so by the message it evokes.

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