Street Art Paris and London

Street Art is a very popular form of art that is spreading quickly all over the world. You can find it on buildings; sidewalks, street signs and trash cans from Tokyo to Paris, from Moscow to Cape Town. Street art has become a global culture and even art museums and galleries are collecting the work of street artists.

Street art started out very secretly because it is illegal to paint public and private property without permission. People often have different opinions about street art. Some think it is a crime and others think it is a very beautiful new form of culture.

My love for street art all began when I visited London a few years ago and found Banksy’s work on t-shirts, magnets, cards, canvases, etc throughout the city. Banksy, I believe is the godfather of a new form of pop art that originated on the street. He used a foundation created by peers to spread powerful messages using accessible street art. Anyone can see Banksy’s stencil art, which enables him to reach a large audience and to make strong statements. City officials have the power to paint over works or allow them to stay. Even when his ephemeral art is destroyed, it draws attention to political issues.

Street artists do their work for a reason. Some of them do not like artists who make so much money in galleries and museums. They choose street art because it is closer to the people. Some artists try to express their political opinion in their work. They often want to protest against big firms and corporations. Others like to do things that are forbidden and hope they don’t get caught.

Advertising companies also use street art in their ads because it gives you the impression of youth and energy. The New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue recently used a street artist’s design for their shop windows and shopping bags.

  

In today’s world the Internet has a big influence on street art. Artists can show their pictures to an audience all over the world. Many city residents, however, say that seeing a picture on the Internet is never as good as seeing it live. The street art movement lives with the energy and life of a big city. There it will continue to change and grow.

My love for street art had me exploring the streets of London and France on my recent visit. Personally I think I think street art makes a statement and is used as a way of expressing yourself. Those expressions are statements or reflections on a certain lifestyle. What I love most is how the acceptance of street art is growing remarkably world wide

Paris:

     

Nice:

London: