Why are There Painted Donkeys Throughout DC? | Washington in the 2000s

Delve into the artistic escapades that unfolded in Washington, DC. during the early 2000s. The city experienced a vibrant and lighthearted transformation as colorful statues of elephants and donkeys, symbolizing democracy, adorned the streets, bringing joy and fostering conversations about art and democracy. Meanwhile, mysterious street art emerged, attributed to an enigmatic figure known as Borf, a graffiti artist who left his mark on various surfaces throughout the city. Eventually revealed to be an 18-year-old art student with a message of anti-capitalism and remembrance, Borf's work captivated the public and added a touch of rebellious coolness to the artistic landscape. This video is part of WETA's WASHINGTON IN THE 2000s documentary, which captures the history of Washington, DC during the 2000s. This historical documentary revisits the major events, people and developments that shaped Washington at the dawn of the new millennium. From 9/11 and the DC sniper to the return of Major League Baseball and a baby panda’s birth, this era of DC history was one of highs and lows.
Stream the full documentary at: weta.org/decades
Explore more DC history with more clips from WASHINGTON IN THE DECADES: • Washington in the Decades
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[@davelinn32115]

I love these snippets of local history. Thank you for producing these! Also, I'd love to see another panda/donkey/elephant exhibit throughout the city. When did we have the painted pandas?

[@WETAPBS]

Thanks for watching! We've been posting excerpts on UA-cam, but more clips and the full documentaries they're drawn from - Washington in the '80s, Washington in the '90s, and Washington in the 2000s are available here: weta.org/watch/shows/decades