For this week’s Lens-Artist Photo Challenge, Patti suggests we share some images of Street Art. Looking through photos, there seem to be different styles such as “artsy” pictures, fun images designed to make people smile, those showing a landscape scene or ones where the artist has a statement to make. Interestingly, in many cities’ artists are encouraged to create murals or Street Art on buildings, sidewalks or wherever they can find a “canvas”. For example, Montreal holds annual graffiti or Street Art festivals, one of which is internationally renowned.
“I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like good fiction – it speaks out on behalf of everyone, for us all to see.” ― Carla H. Krueger
I decided to begin this blog by showing a couple of Street Art scenes close to home. This first one is at a small shopping area at Kiawah Island, SC.
Charleston, SC is well known for carriage rides throughout the downtown area as tour guides entertain vistors with amazing facts about the city’s history. As I was photographing the mural on the left, a lady happened to stop and admire the Belgian Draft horse standing in the doorway,.
“Street art is nothing else but urban poetry that catches someone’s eye.” – Christian Guemy aka C215
This mural and the one below was designed by William Cochran in downtown Frederick, Maryland. This is the second installation of a three-part series titled “Angels in the Architecture.” This one, “Earthbound,” shows an aging, grounded angel staring into the city, lost in thought.
“The Edge of Gravity” is the third installation of this three-part series, “Angels in the Architecture.” According to a website featuring public art in Frederick, “this mural shows a dream-like youth of indeterminate age, gender, and race, attired in clothing from 1745, the year Frederick was founded. The colors in the mural—red, white, and blue—evoke a 250-year-old dream of liberty, equality, and inclusion. The figure defies gravity, floating inches off the ground.”
“Street art is such a pure art form. Maybe not quite as pure as graffiti but up there. It is so democratic. Art by anyone for everyone. It offers so much but asks for so little.” – Mydogsighs
This is one of two identical zodiac sculptures on the Stone Arch Bridge over Carroll Creek in Frederick. According to website, these colorful sculptures are seen on both the east and west sides of the massive stone moon bridge. The sculptures, work of Nikolai Pakhomov of Iron Masters, LLC, are intended to connect time, universe, and humanity.
When walking down city streets in Montreal, Canada, there are plenty visual surprises everywhere! Here are a few of my favorites.
This mural was painted on the side of this old apartment building.
“Few people go to art exhibitions. The power of Street Art is that it goes to people’s daily life to be seen.” – iNO
“The important thing is that each work is always guided by passion.” – Jorit AGOch
This was taken as we drove through Barcelona,Spain.
Another form of Street Art is sculptures or statues. One of my favorites is the chef standing on the balcony greeting walkers as they pass by the Catalonia Catedral Hotel and Desigual clothing store on Carrer Dels Arcs, 10 in Barcelona, Spain.
Hope you enjoyed seeing these few examples of Street Art!
“Just because it is not in a museum does not mean it is not art.” – Wittle Art