Example of urban art: discover some artistic manifestations
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People don't really know what an example of urban art is, but in reality it is more present than we imagine. Urban art is any and all artistic expression carried out in urban and public spaces in the city. The main objective is, in some way, to convey a message and interact with the public.
You may not remember any examples right now, but you've certainly seen graffiti on a wall in your city, right?
Or a sculpture in a square, theatrical performances in open spaces, musical shows, living statues, as well as various interventions... All these are examples of urban art.
Street art often has a strong protest character.
This is because it is characterized precisely by its implementation in spaces considered marginalized by society, such as sidewalks, tunnels, viaducts, bridges, squares...
It has a strong appeal for people to occupy public spaces and, in addition, for their artistic and cultural manifestations, which are not normally presented in large theaters or museums.
Furthermore, this type of art is most often carried out without authorization or communication to the authorities and seeks precisely to challenge these powers.
Urban art and its origins
If we consider the way urban art is presented – art made on the streets – it is possible to say that it originated in ancient Greece.
This is because, since that time, troubadours have performed in the streets and in public spaces, for everyone.
Over the centuries, many other artists have used the streets, squares, as well as various other public spaces to express their art.
Urban art as we know it today, however, began between the 1960s and 1970s.
In the United States, with the underground scene, punk and “street art”.
Street art in Brazil
And in Brazil, with the advance of counterculture and the challenge to the powers in power – especially the Military Dictatorship, established in the country in 1964.
With no space in the media or in spaces dominated by the military, the streets, walls and squares were the spaces left for artists at the time.
Urban art as a social and political movement
Graffiti was the art that first took over public spaces in the country, with messages of affront to the military.
At first, the concern was much less aesthetic and more political. The objective was simply to expose society's dissatisfaction with the country's situation.
Little by little, resources and techniques were improved and cities began to receive various interventions.
Especially in large cities, such as the city of São Paulo, it is possible to see singers performing with their musical instruments on the streets, writers reciting their poems or reading excerpts from their works...
It is also very common to see posters and various paintings on the walls, some just a few centimeters long and with little or no aesthetic concern.
And others are multicolored , hyper-realistic and, in addition, of gigantic dimensions, like the urban art of graffiti artist Kobra .
Other artistic manifestations as an example of urban art
Graffiti is not the only way to define artistic expression. A good example of urban art, which perhaps not everyone is familiar with, is the stencil. This type of expression is made by cutting out paper that serves as a template, and spray paint or paint fixes the drawings. The world-renowned British artist, political activist and film director Banksy is an example of this expression.
Without revealing his face, name or age, the artist is known for his stencil-based interventions. He creates his work on the streets of major cities around the world, such as New York and London.
Anonymously, the artist walks the streets and also makes all kinds of harsh and sarcastic criticisms of figures of power and authorities.
Furthermore, street performances, whether a magician, a clown or a theater group, are characterized as artistic manifestations.
In São Paulo, for example, it is common to find actions like these. On Sundays, when Paulista Avenue is closed to people walking, many artists use it to show their work, entertain the public and convey important messages to those present.
Urban art map
Did you like it? Now, do you want to see up close some urban art that is close to you? Well, a group of admirers has gathered together on a map the main interventions in the country. Check it out ! And if you liked this article and want to have access to more content like this, just click here ! You will have access to topics such as quality of life , leisure in São Paulo and much more.