Art is a fundamentally human activity, as everyone knows. It appeals to emotions, the senses, and intuition just as much as to the intellect. Other forms of art exist for those who do not usually visit museums or exhibitions to enjoy an artistic journey through paintings, sculptures, and frescoes. Tattoos, architectural art, and street art, for example, are all expressions of art on the skin of the city.
What is street art ?
Street art is a rapidly growing art form and is especially popular among young street artists and younger audiences. This new artistic movement includes all types of art created in the street and in public spaces, using a wide variety of techniques. Today, it can be found in cities on signs, pavements, posts, fire hydrants, and even sidewalks. This long-standing art form has been brought back into the spotlight since the 1960s, and can now be seen in every major city, including New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Brussels, Tokyo, Douala, and even Barcelona. It has become an integral part of popular culture. It is common to come across graffiti in the streets or artworks that invite us to pause and truly appreciate them. These open-air museums are spreading through cities around the world like an incurable virus, but in the most positive way.
Street Art: Art displayed in the streets
Mr Brainwash’s street art wall in London
Street art helps identify genuine works of underground culture. It makes it possible to distinguish a creation from vandalism with no artistic value. Although street art pieces are often anonymous, it is possible to recognize an artist’s signature style if you have some knowledge of the field. Assigning copyright is difficult, and guaranteeing the durability of the work is just as challenging. This is due to the very nature of street art, which is often exposed to weather conditions, the passage of time, and human damage. Street art is a constantly evolving art form, and the artist cannot guarantee its longevity. What they can be sure of is that their creation will be seen by many people, turning it into a vast collective exhibition.
Urban art
Urban art is defined by its public nature, intended for a wide audience in urban spaces, but also by the freedom it offers, since artists can express themselves freely without restrictions or limitations. It can be created using various techniques, such as graffiti, stencils, stickers, mosaics, or yarn bombing. This is a form of urban knitting that uses yarn to cover elements of the street. It can also take the form of a video projection or a chalk drawing on the pavement. Street art can be used to protest, defend a cause, take part in a movement, or simply share a message with the public. It is a form of expression that allows artists from every background to speak freely.
Street art artists
Since its emergence, street art has seen many artists rise to prominence. Some are unmistakable, such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Others include Banksy and Shepard Fairey. Other artists, such as the Brazilian twins Os Gemeos and the French artist JR, are less widely known but no less talented, and continue to write the history of urban art through their unique creations.
