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 a modern, vibrant and colorful art created in the streets of New York a few years ago. Except that 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 space for the greatest number to see, then cavemen are the first pioneers of street art.

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

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

It was not until 1960 in the suburbs of Philadelphia in the United States that a new movement began that would be called "Graffiti". This form of urban expression would be quickly imported to New York at the end of the 60s and would experience a meteoric rise by mixing with the explosion of the hip-hop movement. Art school students quickly joined the "graffiti writters" movement and began to express their art in the city streets and subway corridors. The 2 most emblematic artists of this New York period were Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who allowed us to move from the classic lettering of graffiti artists 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 in order not to be caught by the police or security guards.

The different techniques of Street Art

Many urban expression techniques were then developed by artists. Here is a quick overview of the different practices:

• Street installation:

  Inspired by sculptures, often in 3D, these installations can be made from any materials.

• The stencil:

  pre-cut designs on x-ray sheets or cardboard

• Yarn bombing:

  installation of colored threads, knitting or crochet on street furniture

• the sticker:

  installation of pre-designed or printed stickers

• graffiti:

  the original form of expression using spray paint cans

• the mosaic:

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

• the video projection:

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

• tape art:

  use of scotch tape mixed or not with paint

The most iconic artists

After the New York beginnings initiated by the hip-hop movement. Street art really took off at the end of the 90s, especially when the British artist Banksy decided to put giant stencils on the wall between Israel and Palestine. Banksy would become the spearhead of the (re)birth of the street art movement, by sublimating the art of stencil 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 the 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 appearance of social networks and the first smartphones. In France, this new wave includes artists such as JonOne, Jace, Invader, Mr. A and L'Atlas. Abroad, in addition to the stencil genius from Bristol mentioned above, artists such as Shepard Fairey, Kaws and D-Face gave their letters of nobility to the revival of the street art movement.

Today, street art is completely democratized, painting is done on so-called "legal" walls or via direct order by institutions and companies. The street invites itself into our lives outside but now also our interiors, thanks to the work of (some) art galleries that have been able to integrate and pay tribute to these multiple street artists. Whether it is carried by a message, an aesthetic, a technique or just fun, colors and life, Street Art speaks to everyone and allows you to brighten up the often gray walls of our cities. Pixel Corner also offers you the opportunity to simply get started in 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 and including all the equipment of professionals in the discipline!

FAQ: The short history of Street Art

What is street art and how did it start?

Street art is a form of visual art that manifests itself in public spaces, often in the form of graffiti, stencils, murals or installations. It has its origins 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 claim 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 focuses primarily on writing and typography, often in the form of tags or signatures. Street art, on the other hand, encompasses a broader variety of art forms, such as murals, stencils, and installations, and is more interested in telling stories or conveying a visual message.

Who are the iconic street art artists?

Some of the most iconic artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, who started out in the New York graffiti scene, 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 city and the context. Street art is often done illegally on buildings or public spaces without permission, which can lead to fines or prosecution for the artists. However, more and more cities are recognizing the artistic value of these works and creating 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 take up 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 mix urban art and the world of retro video games.