Art is a creative expression no matter the form. I’ve always gotten to know a city by it’s street art and advertising, both visually communicating more to me than words ever could. I don’t like it when it’s referred to as graffiti, which has a menacing overtone, which I simply don’t think fits. Maybe it’s the relationship with the word, maybe because of the subversion. Either way, the label tends to downgrade a wonderful express that reflects the culture.
The problem lies herein:
From Wikipedia
Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create disagreement amongst city officials/law enforcement and graffitists who wish to display and appreciate work in public locations. There are many different types and styles of graffiti and it is a rapidly developing artform whose value is highly contested, reviled by many authorities while also subject to protection, sometimes within the same jurisdiction.
All I can say is Medellin has some wonderful street art, proudly shared here:
“Eat Me, Miro”
They look like fun creatures
Simplistic, but cute. Love the squiggle signature on the bottom.
Head with twig.
Sophisticated image, of a street “love scene”.
The Virgin?
Crazy wolf.
This is from a great wall collage found in the Pobalado neighborhood.
Mermaid and dog dreaming of cat.
Skull and dog.
Big smile.
Read the message I’m pointing to!
Intriguing.
Stencil with lovers names in pencil.
King clouds.
Miro building. More of a mural, but I think there’s not much difference in the meaning.
Miro Village. That’s quite special.
Loved this painted pole.
Crayon drawing graffiti.
Wanna “snog” (kiss in British slang) in the park?
Darth Vader on billboard.
Rosa Mistica.
I loved how the teeth inside the green box, seem to be nibbling on the pole.
Another travel blogger recently posted his images of street art found in the country’s capital in a post called Bogata, Colombia Graffiti Art. Check it out!
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32 Comments
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great stuff here! Really cool.
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Thanks Michael! I love your post too! Think your images inspired me.
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I love street art too -the Santa Teresa neighbourhood in Rio was our favourite place for it so far. I don’t know how we’ve managed to miss all of this in Medellin!
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Thank Erin! One of the big walls featured in this post was right around the corner from where we all met for lunch. In fact I photographed it after our tweet up. 🙂 I love the street art in this country! I need to venture into the Santa Teresa neighborhood to see more. Looking forward to Rio as well. Best!
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Fun post, I love street art when it’s done well. It’s so cool to see people expressing themselves in this artistic way.nnYou’ll dig this short clip about 212, a street artist: http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=g8sa9vqgec
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Awesome! Thanks Ken!
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Hi, love these. My daughter is taking an urban art/grafitti class so fun to see! Cheers!
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Thanks Nicole! I love that there is even such a class. I come from the world of design, so I look at all images as messages. How images are displayed in the environment as a whole makes us the culture. I invite you to share this link with your daughter too, and push the boundaries of how the term street art and graffiti are defined: http://www.raisingmiro.com/category/1st_500/enviro_art/
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Great shots here! Hope you’re both loving Medellin..
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Thanks Theaodora and yes, we are loving this city! Have you been here before? I think you’d love it.
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Very nice. You’ve captured some great street arr.nJason
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Thanks a ton!
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Thanks!
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Well, You do have to admit that someone needs a certain amount of talent to produce those pictures. Graffiti to me is done by someone with no talent. Art is done by an artist and this shows in the image and the message it sends.
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I actually disagree with you. Sometimes simplicity can be effective as well. Remember we’re talking visual communication here, which is what street art really is.
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These are awesome. I’ve always been envious of somebody who can create this type of art without the ability to erase or make mistakes. Thanks for sharing!
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I agree.. I actually enjoy the most sophisticated designs down to the simplest. Both can be as effective. Thanks for the comment.
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You got a bunch I didn’t see, very cool.
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Thanks Ayngelina! Please post a link to your collection too, I’d love to see it.
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I missed a lot of the street art in Medellu00edn but saw a ton of great art in Bogotu00e1. Now I am in Valparau00edso, Chile and it is a street art lovers’ paradise.
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these are super awesome! after reading all peoples posts on colombia (especially medellin) it’s become the top of my where to go list.
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Awesome Lindsay, you’ll love it here. It’s a beautiful city.
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Wow, what a great collection of street art! I agree, I will call these street art rather than graffiti.
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If you haven’t seen this TED, I think it ties in well with this theme. Enjoynnhttp://blog.ted.com/2011/04/07/the-invention-that-unlocked-a-locked-in-artist-mick-ebeling-on-ted-com/
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Amazing street art, it really enhances the streets if they’re done properly. Saw some awesome street art in London yesterday.
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u00a0Oh how I adore street art 🙂 Great shot. Can’t wait to get over to Medellin with my camera. Do you know any of the names of the artists by any chance?
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Fantastic shots, didn’t know this was famous but now that I see your pics and Ayngelina’s it has to be!
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Awesome street art. I always enjoy seeing different kinds of art on streets.u00a0
