STREET ART

How did it start?

Street art was born around the 70s in the suburbs of New York. But only around 2000, there is a real diffusion. It was born as a sign of protest and revolt. In the early years street art was seen as an expression of vandalism, but today it is considered real form of art, though always in the background if compared to traditional art. St
reet art shouldn’t be confused with graffiti, which are a separate category.

The tools used are spray cans, felt-tip pens or indelible colours.

-The spray can be one of the most widely used working tools. This technique requires great skills to carry out large works.

-The stencil a technique that uses a template to make really accurate images.

 

-The murals are real paintings of truly amazing dimensions, on walls or buildings. 

 

 

Where we can admire street art?

I think the best thing about street art is that we can admire it everywhere.  Street art can be made and found on walls anywhere, in a hidden alley or on the facade of a huge building. This is what distinguishes it from other forms of art. 

 

Who are the most well-known street artists?

-Banksy is British  and he is considered one of most popular and talented street artists. His art started as a sign of protest  and his work went immediately viral. To date very little is known about Banksy’s identity. He uses stencils and spray cans. His uniqueness lies in exploiting anything from road signs to doors and manholes for his art.

 

 

-Obey, (Shepard Fairey), a prominent American artist from the '90s. He has made his art a real business.

-Swoon,(Caledonia Dancey Currey), an American girlliving in Brooklyn. Active since 1999, she is considered one of the most important street artists on the world scene. She has created art that re-evaluates abandoned spaces.

Well, there are many others,  like C215 or JR but let’s see what we have here in Italy.

The greatest Italian artist is Bolognese artist Blu, who has created fabulous works of art, almost all of them dealing with social criticism. He has painted murals all over the world with a unique style.

 

Is it illegal?

Some local administrations compromised with street artists, putting at their disposal the "hall of fame", that is, the spaces available to urban artists in which to legally paint.

In Italy, the Penal Code to Art. 639 states:

“Any person who, out of the cases provided for in Article 635, defaces or smears other people’s movable property shall be punished, on the complaint of the offended person, with a fine of up to Euro 103.If the fact is committed on real estate or on public or private means of transport, the penalty of imprisonment from one to six months or the fine from 300 to 1,000 euros applies. If the fact is committed on things of historical or artistic interest, the penalty of imprisonment from three months to a year and the fine from 1,000 to 3,000 euros applies. In cases of recidivism for the assumptions referred to in the second paragraph, the penalty of imprisonment from three months to two years and a fine of up to 10,000 euros applies.”

 

I love street art. What about you? Do you like it?

Alessandra. 3sc