Welcome to the March issue of CODAmagazine, where we share the best design + art projects from all over the world. This magazine is published once a month by CODAworx. We’re an online community for artists, design professionals, and industry resources to showcase their work, collaborate with one another, and find the creative resources they need for future projects.
Beautifying spaces is only one purpose for making art. Artwork may also serve as a symbol of a cause, be a reminder of the past, or alter our reality. It can make us rethink our habits and philosophies. Social change is our March theme, and what an inspiring topic it is!
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite projects: Múcaro’s Rising. Located in Puerto Rico, it was a response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Maria. The basketball court and bleachers create a cheerful atmosphere and were improved with the help of residents in the area, proving a community can find joy after tragedy. Another very special project, Urban Farm Pod, blends technology to bring city dwellers produce options; it is a fascinating example of how complex social change can be. Recycling, local food consumption, and renewable energy were just some of the concepts behind this sophisticated urban garden design.
One of my proudest accomplishments is that CODAworx is known as a home for creative revolutionaries using art in fascinating ways, constantly pushing boundaries, and finding meanings. They assert themselves, and their works are a form of social work, helping us heal, find common ground, and recognize injustice. Their activism brings fresh perspectives and solutions to a world that could use both.
Many creative leaders now widely admired faced backlash and attempts to undermine the causes they cared about during their lives. Yet generations of people discovered, and will continue to discover, their riveting stories through artwork. This ability art has to transmit stories should not be underestimated. It influences our cultures, how we think about our societies, and the directions artistic movements take.
I urge CODAmagazine readers to reflect on the links between art and social change, as this theme is perhaps the most meaningful fate awaiting any creation - an enduring legacy.