Bren Bataclan
began his street art project,
entitled "The Smile Boston Project," in the summer of 2003. He left paintings of his colorful
characters for people to take all over the Boston area on park
benches, in subway stations, schoolyards, and other public locations. To each painting
Bataclan attached a note that read, "This painting is yours to keep if
you promise to smile at random people more often."
Motivation
The project started with the goal of thanking Boston for buying so
many of his paintings. After years of participating in Cambridge Artists Open Studios (CAOS)
and not selling very of his many computer graphics art
works, one year Bataclan
started painting his colorful characters and they were immediately an
overnight success at CAOS.
Eventually the project grew and evolved several additional goals,
including bringing art to people
who typically don't go to art museums and galleries, giving paintings
to people who may not be able to afford orginal artwork, and spreading
smiles around Boston.
Evolution
Bren has since left paintings all
over the globe and the Smile Project has evolved into a phenomenon
that has evolved far beyond its humble beginnings. Read more about Bren
Bataclan and his work at www.bataclan.com.