Street art has been around for centuries, but it has only recently gained recognition as a legitimate form of art. From its rebellious and territorial beginnings to its current status as a powerful tool for social and political activism, street art has come a long way. It has been used to create a sense of identity, unity, and positivity in urban environments, and it has also been used to bridge the gap between street art and the public. Street art is now seen as an important part of history, with many cities investing in public art programs to ensure that there is an endless flow of new experiences.
The first graffiti writers developed their own unique techniques and aesthetic styles, which were based on their own qualitative conception of style and on the particular aesthetic standards developed within the community to judge the content and technique of writers. This movement from the street to the gallery also indicates a growing acceptance of graffiti and street art in the world of conventional art and in art history. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, several murals have been erected on prominent walls in the bustling urban environment. Students, artists, and community members have painted several utility boxes with murals, creating a sense of identity, unity, and positivity that flows throughout the city.
In SoHo, a New York City branch, urban art scholars found that the rise of graffiti art caused relatively low crime rates compared to other neighborhoods in the city. The famous artist Keith Haring played a decisive role in bridging the gap between street art and the public, helping to change the perception of the art form and to gain public favor. He explained that street art was important to him since it allowed him to have an impact on the urban landscape instead of disappearing into darkness by creating commercial art that remained hidden inside a gallery or private collection. The artist SWOON (née Caledonia Curry) is another example of how street artists inspire and are inspired by many other movements and artistic styles.
Her works contain elements of very varied movements, from pop art to Renaissance art. In addition to her famous wall, there are many areas in Berlin where you can find incredible and modern street art, including stencils (such as Banksy's popular works) and other types of graffiti. Many cities in the United States have developed public art programs for their communities because studies have shown that art in the community is crucial for development and identity. Cities such as Denver and San Francisco demand that a percentage of all construction projects (more than one million dollars) be allocated to public art installations to ensure that there is an endless flow of new experiences. It is difficult to insert street art into the historical canon of art since it did not develop from any progression of artistic movements but rather began independently. However, it is important to recognize that the desire to use walls and shared spaces as canvas to create art is not a new invention from the 1900s.
From artwork on the slopes of caves to New York City police chasing taggers in the subway system or city-sponsored public art funds to pay for new murals, there's a lot to cover. Nowadays, cities like Philadelphia sponsor mural programs, and artists like Banksy have taken street art to a whole new level. The underlying impetus for street art arose from the belief that art should work in opposition to the hegemonic system of laws, property and property; be accessible rather than hidden in galleries, museums and private collections; and be democratic and empowering in the sense that all people (regardless of race, age, gender, economic status etc.) can access it. Street art is often related to activism that raises awareness about pressing social and environmental issues. It also helps create safer communities by building relationships between voters and businesses while increasing economic revenues. What's more, many street artists use their work as a way to remember common people and events. Although it is territorial and rebellious in nature, street art tends to transmit a social or political message that provokes discussion and reaction.
While sunny days may be shorter and the sky darker, a light source will remain in Cambridge - street art.
