Running Head: TAKE FLIGHT 1

Take Flight

Jami Chung

Arizona State University

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Abstract

This paper discusses how an interactive mural makes an impact in the political community for a

generation of young adults using rhetorical analysis. Many 18-year-olds, who are just starting

adulthood, may not realize how strong their political power can be. A beautiful mural in

downtown Phoenix encourages the power of voting, and attracts an audience with its colorful

texture and massive size.

Keywords:​ Politics, Mural, Meneration, Young adults

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Take Flight

Downtown Phoenix is filled with many beautiful and spectacular murals. One mural that

stands out in the center of downtown Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Art District, portrays a strong

message behind its glory. This visual creation on the west side of monOrchid is intended to

encourage young adults to activate their political powers. Artist Lauren Lee created a

masterpiece comprising of a pair of wings to reflect freedom and power shown in the design of

the artwork.

Many paintings of angel wings placed on walls are becoming popular to Millennials and

Gen Zs. Most of these young adults do not understand the real importance of politics and how it

can affect our lives. With its bright colors, large scale, and meaningful background, the mural

expresses an inspiring message to persuade its audience to vote.

The “Take Flight” interactive mural can appear to give you wings if you’re standing

directly in its center. Vibrant large wings expand on a blank white wall filled with feathers of

different colors, featuring a phrase “18 in 2018” in teal ink hovering above it. As visually

shown, its scale is large and bright to attract viewers. The feathers’ colors represent a symbol for

freedom, flourishment, and uniqueness. In addition, the phrase “18 in 2018” attempts to grab the

attention of young adults turning 18 years old in the year 2018 to activate their political power by

registering to vote. Not only do the massive wings convey a political message, but ​next to the

mural lies a QR code. ​With the help of a smartphone and the QR app, the mural appears to

become animated. ​When people scan the code and then photograph the wings, they can see the

wings in motion as if in flight. This augmented reality component brings the mural to life.
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When the mural photo is then shared on social media, it expands the audience reach to draw in

more potential voters.

There is a great attraction to this mural because it indicates modes of persuasion referred

as the artistic proofs. This mural expresses Kairos as it was released during the 2018 midterm

and sparked popularity. With the right timing of the release date, the project workers were able

to attract a variety of young adults to the mural’s sight. ​A sense of logos was shown as the

Citizens Clean Elections Commission, a nonpartisan group that promotes voter education and

campaign funding accountability in Arizona (Trimble), wanted to reach out across generations to

inform young adults of the importance of voting. In essence, t​he mural gives a person the

opportunity to spread their wings and fly to create a better life for our country. ​The project

committee brought together many important political people and different party groups with one

mural. The way the project workers present the project can persuade some 18 year olds to vote,

which is ethos. These rhetorical situations are very effective in appealing to the right audience.

When starting the process of creating the mural, Lee researched the ways wings work. “I

began looking for stop-motion films of birds in flight and found a video of a white dove,” she

said (Trimble). Then, she thought about how to translate that into “a mythical imaginative bird.”

She thought about what happens to colors in flight. The feathers of the wings began dark in the

inside and eventually spread out to become bright on the outer side of the wings. The colorful

effect on the blank white wall presents a large attraction of beauty and power. It creates a

curious sense in people to wonder what that phrase “18 in 2018” in a bright teal color represents

or symbolizes.
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Pathos has an important impact that connects the audience on an emotional level. ​Lee

said she is honored to be part of a project designed to help bridge the gap between the younger

generation and politics. “They are passionate about specific issues, and they are passionate about

street art, so we want to combine the two,” she said. “We also want to emphasize that you’re an

adult now, you have an opportunity to cast a vote that can make a difference in your

community,” (​Egeland).

This ​Take Flight​ mural brought together all 15 county recorders, election directors, and

stakeholders in the community to discuss the great impact of the election. The artist is trying to

motivate the fact that by registering to vote, we can take flight with our voices. The mural

creates a better way to story tell through technology and art while connecting with every voter

across the state (Fox).

The location of the mural has a strong effect on our culture, which can bring a sense of

ethos and pathos. The piece is placed on the Roosevelt Row Art District wall near several

restaurants where many college students go for First Fridays to see art or hang out. It is “​a

walkable, creative district in the urban core of downtown Phoenix that is nationally known for its

arts and cultural events, fostering an urban renewal with rehabilitated bungalows and new infill

projects” (Gilbert)​. In 1994, the first ever First Friday art walk began and attracted a crowd to

the masterpieces displayed. Since then, the building has continued to be a beacon for showing

how important art can be to people in downtown Phoenix. This is a significant location to hold

this mural because many college students attend the First Friday festival, which can also connect

them to the importance of voting.

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If this mural ceased to exist, young adults would not receive the courage or care to vote.

Voting should be very important to all citizens because it determines who will represent our

government to determine legislative that affects our future and impacts our lives. Because young

adults may not yet be informed of the elections or interested in politics, this mural can generate

interest and motivate young adults to become politically active. Simply by forming colorful

massive wings, our generation can connect with the political world, and inspire others to take

flight and vote because one vote can make a difference.

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References

Egeland, A. (2018, May 05). Arizona's first augmented reality mural takes flight on Roosevelt

Row. Retrieved from

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2018/05/05/arizonas-first-augmente

d-reality-mural-takes-flight-roosevelt-row-election-register-voters/573163002/

Fox. (n.d.). Augmented Reality mural in Downtown Phoenix inspires new generation of voters.

Retrieved from

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/augmented-reality-mural-in-downtow

n-phoenix-inspires-new-generation-of-voters

Gilbert, Kyle. (n.d.). Roosevelt Row. Retrieved from​ ​https://www.rooseveltrow.org/about/

Trimble, L. (2018, June 28). Lauren Lee Paints Augmented Reality Mural in Roosevelt Row.

Retrieved from

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/lauren-lee-phoenix-wings-mural-10338786