Video shows young muralists describing 'Campy'

Reader Mark Miller has submitted a video of the young muralists behind "Campy Washington" describing the work, in their own words.

The MuralWorks project, being painted at 3025 Colerain Avenue in Camp Washington, is a pop art depiction George Washington in colonial drag with a halo of flying pigs, surrounded by a cow's head, a robot, and a gorilla.

Miller recorded the two-and-a-half-minute video on July 18 during the third annual ArtWorks Day, which was held at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington.

Many of the answers given by the muralists revolved around the idea of "campy".

"Clearly the intention of the artists was not to disrespect the father of our country," Miller says. "Rather, they were making cheeky, whimsical fun of the neighborhood’s name. A neighborhood, incidentally, that desperately needs a little brightening-up."

Artist Scott Donaldson can also be seen giving his input on the design.

"I don’t think they meant for this to be provocative art, but that’s how it turned out anyway," Miller says. "Perhaps it was ill-advised; it’s definitely irreverent; but the view that this is somehow culturally heretical is a bit over the top."

A Building Cincinnati post last Thursday resulted in 27 reader comments, most of which panned the work.

Miller says that, even though the economy is soft and there are significant issues being discussed in this election year, it's no reason to lose our sense of humor.

"Smile at it if you can, shake your head if you must, but Camp Washington really is a little brighter and better because of it," he says.



Try this YouTube link if the embedded video player does not work.

Previous reading on BC:
Not everyone loves 'Campy Washington' (7/17/08)