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| PARIS, FRANCE |
Street art is flourishing throughout the world and has become a popular free alternative to visiting museums and galleries. As I'm doing my mind-travel these days and looking through old travel photos, I found some favorite pictures to share.
It can be enjoyed at your leisure or quickly in passing. Sometimes it appears overnight in unexpected places. It can transform a broken-down wall into a colorful mural within a short time and then it can quickly disappear when the wall is removed. It can be found on buildings, walls, mailboxes, bridges, underpasses, or just about anywhere that these bold artists find suitable for their next creation.
Some of the work has been commissioned and created by well-known artists, however, much of it has been done freely by artists just wishing to express themselves and to do what they love. In many cases, they leave no name or title--just "art for art's sake" that is available to everyone, regardless of race or status.
Recently, I had a pleasant experience with public art when visiting Shelter Island with my granddaughter. She was intrigued by a bronze sculpture of a little girl and reached out to touch her and then to hug her. She enjoyed it in ways that couldn't be done in a gallery or museum. At the same time, a man walked by and said that seeing her hug that statue made his day. The sculpture titled "Bubble Bath" by Dan Hill is one of many on Shelter Island in San Diego, CA. It was built as a memorial to a child.
Although there are hundreds of talented street artists in the world, one of the most intriguing of all time is Banksy. A mysterious guy, who has directed and wrote the documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop. Alessandra Mattanza in her book, Street Art, writes the following about him: "He has become a star in spite of himself, he who never liked museums, preferring the street with all its risks: at the mercy of wind and bad weather, and with the danger of being discovered and arrested."
Fortunately, street art and public art continues to grow in popularity and style. It will be around for a long time--free for all to enjoy while traveling the world or casually walking around their own hometown.
"I wanted to create something that was public, that became an integral part of the city and of my life." -Swoon, Portrait Master
Related Post: Chicano Park-"The Museum without Walls" June 25, 2014
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| PARIS, FRANCE |
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| BUENES AIRES, ARGENTINA |
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| PORTO, PORTUGAL |
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| GALWAY, IRELAND |
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| ROME, ITALY |
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| DUBLIN, IRELAND |
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| SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN |
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| KRAKOW, POLAND |
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| NEW YORK |
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| PARIS, FRANCE |
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