The Cement Truck Procession
An art intervention in a busy seaside town
4 November 2018
4 November 2018
Our lives are run by growl of the cement mixer. The builder’s truck welcomes in our mornings, and the chaser accompanies our lunch. Our days are counted by the digger and the crane. Construction vehicles are integral to our everyday lives; and now they would like acknowledgement of this fact. At sunset on the evening of Sunday 4th November 2018, artist Margerita Pulè acknowledged the authority of the Cement Mixer, and led it in a slow walk through along Tower Road in Sliema; a town that has long bent its knee to these construction vehicles.
The procession began at the Piazetta where Tower Road meets Qui Si Sana, walked along Tower Road, and up Dingli St. As the procession made its way along the narrow streets, the audience received small cakes and bread made of cement. At the end of the procession, the small company carried along Howard St to the small garden to the side of the Teatru Salesjan. Some cement was poured, and the procession’s bandalora was placed in the garden.
The procession was, of course, be a satire; but it also made reference to other instances in history where man preceded vehicle; such as the ‘Tank Man’ of Tiananmen Square, or even those whose job it was to walk in front of early automobiles, to warn pedestrians of their approach. The Cement Mixer played the role of a battle tank in a military parade; warning all who see it of their impending fate.
The procession began at the Piazetta where Tower Road meets Qui Si Sana, walked along Tower Road, and up Dingli St. As the procession made its way along the narrow streets, the audience received small cakes and bread made of cement. At the end of the procession, the small company carried along Howard St to the small garden to the side of the Teatru Salesjan. Some cement was poured, and the procession’s bandalora was placed in the garden.
The procession was, of course, be a satire; but it also made reference to other instances in history where man preceded vehicle; such as the ‘Tank Man’ of Tiananmen Square, or even those whose job it was to walk in front of early automobiles, to warn pedestrians of their approach. The Cement Mixer played the role of a battle tank in a military parade; warning all who see it of their impending fate.