Mural Painting, Urban Expression or Street Art: a little piece of the history of Street Art

The Genesis of Street Art

When we think of Street Art, we immediately think of modern, vibrant, and colorful art created in the streets of New York a few years ago. However, in reality, the origins of Street Art are much older. If we take the very definition of street art, which is to represent one's own works in public spaces for the view of the greatest number, then cavemen are the first pioneers of street art.

Later, other ethnic groups and civilizations continued to write or share their drawings, by painting on frescoes or by engraving their names on famous monuments or popular places. Thus, a form of Street Art has always existed in a way.

Modern Street Art is said to have been born at the beginning of the 20th century, notably as an act of rebellion and political commitment in countries like Mexico or post-1910 Russia. This art then mainly served as propaganda but marked the beginning of a new artistic era where drawing, calligraphy, and messages were blended for the masses.

It wasn't until 1960 in the suburbs of Philadelphia in the United States that a new movement began, which would be called "Graffiti." This urban mode of expression was quickly imported to New York at the end of the 60s and experienced a rapid boom by mixing with the explosion of the hip-hop movement. Soon, art school students joined the "graffiti writters" movement and began to express their art in the city streets and subway corridors. The two most emblematic artists of this New York period are Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who allowed the transition from classic graffiti lettering to figurative, even minimalist, representation. The main idea for these artists was to be able to reproduce a drawing, symbol, or lettering as quickly as possible so as not to be caught by the police or security agents.

The Different Techniques of Street Art

Many urban expression techniques have since been developed by artists. Here is a quick overview of the different practices:

• Street Installation:

  inspired by sculptures, often 3D, these installations can be made from any material.

• Stencil:

  pre-cut designs on X-ray sheets or cardboard

• Yarn Bombing:

  installation of colored threads, knitting, or crochet on urban furniture

• Sticker:

  installation of pre-drawn or printed stickers

• Graffiti:

  the original form of expression using spray paint cans

• Mosaic:

  arrangement of pre-fabricated mosaic works or filling holes in public spaces

• Video Projection:

  or video mapping, a method mainly used for large public shows

• Tape Art:

  use of tape mixed or not with paint

 

The Most Iconic Artists

After the New York beginnings initiated by the hip-hop movement, street art truly took off at the end of the 90s, especially when the British artist Banksy decided to place giant stencils on the wall between Israel and Palestine. Banksy became the spearhead of the (re)birth of the street art movement, sublimating the art of stenciling and other techniques to convey impactful messages.

In France, street art or urban visual expression, as some like to call it, arrived in Paris in the 1980s. The first emblematic figures of this movement were artists Blek le Rat, Gérard Zlotykamien, Jeff Aerosol, and the late Miss Tic. They were soon followed by a new generation of artists in the 90s, who benefited from increased visibility thanks to the advent of social networks and the first smartphones. In France, this new wave includes artists such as JonOne, Jace, Mr. A, and L'Atlas. Abroad, in addition to the stencil genius from Bristol mentioned above, artists like Shepard Fairey, Kaws, or D-Face lend their nobility to the revival of the street art movement.

Today, street art is completely democratized, with painting done on "legal" walls or through direct commissions by institutions and businesses. Street art invites itself into our lives outdoors, but now also indoors, thanks to the work of (certain) art galleries that have integrated and paid tribute to these many street artists. Whether driven by a message, an aesthetic, a technique, or just fun, colors, and life, Street Art speaks to everyone and brightens up the often gray walls of our cities. Pixel Corner also offers you the opportunity to easily get started with street art thanks to our Pixel Art mosaic kits inspired by pop and urban culture. Decorate your walls with style or add color to your streets, with our colorful mosaic kits including all the professional materials!

FAQ: The Little History of Street Art

What is street art and how did it start?

Street art is a form of visual art that manifests in public spaces, often in the form of graffiti, stencils, murals, or installations. It originated in the protest movements of the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, particularly in New York, where artists used city walls as a means of expression to convey political or social messages.

What is the difference between graffiti and street art?

Graffiti and street art are often confused, but there are subtle differences. Graffiti primarily focuses on writing and typography, often in the form of tags or signatures. Street art, on the other hand, encompasses a wider variety of artistic forms, such as frescoes, stencils, and installations, and is more interested in telling stories or conveying a visual message.

Who are the iconic street artists?

Among the most iconic artists are Jean-Michel Basquiat, who started in the graffiti scene in New York, and Keith Haring, known for his stylized characters. Banksy, an anonymous British artist, is also very influential for his provocative and committed works. These artists have helped transform street art into a true cultural and artistic movement.

Is street art legal?

It depends on the cities and contexts. Street art is often done illegally on buildings or public spaces without authorization, which can result in fines or prosecution for artists. However, more and more cities recognize the artistic value of these works and create dedicated spaces where artists can express themselves freely and legally, as is the case in Berlin or Lisbon.

How does street art influence interior design, especially pixel art?

Street art has a major influence on interior design, particularly through styles that adopt its codes, such as murals, pop art, or pixel art. Inspired by urban aesthetics, pixel art takes up the concept of the mural by breaking down images into pixels, creating impactful visual works. At Pixel Corner, we use these influences to create wall mosaics that blend urban art and the world of retro video games.