I am captivated by the colorful designs on every door in Barcelona. I get lost in the maze of streets in Barri Gòtic and El Born with new artwork around each corner. There is no specific definition of what street art is other than art in public places. It encompasses a range of paint, posters and 3D designs that typically make a statement whether it be political or societal. While some see it as graffiti and harmful to society, the art community and many urban dwellers appreciate the new art popping up in their neighborhood nightly. The street art here is deeply ingrained in the local culture, regardless of what the city government decides.
I don’t confuse street art with graffiti. There is no need to tag your name over and over again in public space or ruin walls with curse words. Legally, the artist needs permission to paint but there are conversations about the non-destructive forms of graffiti and if the positive effects of professional street art.
I am not an expert in the details of street art but I am a huge supporter and appreciator of the creative displays street artists have given the city. You can see fantastic creative art without going to the museum and these artists have used art to send a message and affect our daily lives.
If you’d like to see more, check out Street Utopia showing off some of the best street art from the last year, and the street art documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop.
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