Prehistorics, Jeff Goldblum, and some damn good street art

A few nights ago, after arriving in the beautiful town of Kota Kinabulu in Sabah, Malaysia, I decided to see Jurassic Park in 3D. I love Jurassic Park, so watching a sexed out Jeff Goldblum give a useless explanation of Chaos Theory only seemed better when the water droplets ran off Laura Dern’s hand and looked as if they were going to splash me in the face! While that 3D trick actually didn’t happen, Jeff Goldblum’s silly explanations of the unexpected always happening came to mind the next day when I came across this beauty:

While in bad light, from across the street, it doesn’t look like much, what you’re starring at is a glaring piece of Chaos Theory. What looked as if it was doomed to become an empty plot or eyesore to the city has become the home to beautiful pieces of street art comme ça:

While rumor has it that this building burned down a few years back, the remaining pieces of whatever the previous establishment used to be are now covered and recovered in tag by some of the best local and traveling street artists Sabah has ever seen. Each panel has 4 sides of work, and even the remaining walls in the back have been colored in some sort of beautiful art work.

What impressed me most about this amazing canvas is that it could have become rubble. For those who have visited KK, you will know that the plot is right across the street from a huge, state-of-the-art shopping center known as Suriah, and sandwiched in by a popular bank. But, thankfully, the local government actually designated the ruins for art after seeing it transformed by the bold few who painted without permission.

While street art may not be an accepted art form everywhere, the fact is, it’s a great way to turn something old, dilapidated, or ugly into a mecca of creation. If you’re ever in KK, make sure to step out of the air conditioned mall to take a look at the street art off of the main road. And while you’re on the creative kick, support your local street artist, and lobby your local governments to allow street art to transform what has been broken into something beautiful.