Street art definition

According to ChatGPT, street art refers to a wide range of visual art forms that are created in public spaces, such as on the streets, sidewalks, bridges, and buildings. The term encompasses a variety of styles, including graffiti, murals, stickers, installations, and projection art. Street art is often created without permission from the property owner and is considered to be outside of the traditional art world. Street artists often use the urban environment as a canvas for their work and often use the public space to express political, social, or personal messages. Street art is often considered as a form of self-expression, as a way to reclaim public spaces, and as a form of social and political commentary. Street art is often created by individuals or groups who are not affiliated with traditional art institutions, and it is not always intended to be sold or exhibited in galleries or museums. However, in recent years, street art has gained recognition and has been featured in galleries and museums, and it has been used by cities and businesses as a way to revitalize neighborhoods and to attract tourism. In summary, street art is a visual art form that is created in public spaces and encompasses a wide range of styles, techniques, and messages. It is created outside of the traditional art world and is often used to express political, social, or personal messages

History of street art

Street art has a long and varied history that can be traced back to ancient civilizations, but it has evolved and taken on new forms in recent times. In the 1960s, street art began to emerge in cities in the United States, particularly in New York, where artists started using the walls of buildings as a surface for expression by painting graffiti. These early forms of street art were often seen as vandalism and were not widely accepted as art. During the 1970s and 1980s, street art continued to develop and diversify, with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring gaining recognition for their graffiti work. Street art began to be seen as a form of social and political commentary, and many street artists used their work to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and racism. In the 1990s, street art began to be recognized as a legitimate form of contemporary art, with exhibitions of street art appearing in museums and galleries. At the same time, the rise of street art festivals and the increasing use of technology, such as digital projections and 3D installations, expanded the possibilities for street art and brought it to a wider audience. In recent years, street art has become a global phenomenon, with street artists working in cities all over the world. Street art is now widely recognized as a valid form of artistic expression and is often presented in museums and galleries, as well as in street art festivals around the world. However, while street art has gained recognition, it continues to be controversial with some people considering it as an act of vandalism, and others seeing it as an important and valid form of artistic expression.

Key dates of street art

Street art has a long and varied history with different key dates in different locations and contexts, but some important dates and events in the development of street art include:

  • 1960s: Street art begins to emerge in cities in the United States, particularly in New York, where artists start using the walls of buildings as a surface for expression by painting graffiti.
  • 1970s-80s: Street art continues to develop and diversify, with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring gaining recognition for their graffiti work. Street art begins to be seen as a form of social and political commentary.
  • 1980s-90s: Street art festivals start to emerge, such as the first graffiti and street art festival “City as Canvas” held in New York in 1980. Street art begins to be recognized as a legitimate form of contemporary art. Several artists emerged: Banksy, Shepard Fairey et Os Gemeos.
  • 1990s: Street art begins to be featured in museums and galleries, and the rise of street art festivals and the increasing use of technology, such as digital projections and 3D installations, expands the possibilities for street art.
  • 2000s: Street art becomes a global phenomenon, with street artists working in cities all over the world. Street art is now widely recognized as a valid form of artistic expression and is often presented in museums and galleries, as well as in street art festivals around the world. Artist such as ROA emerged.
  • 2010s: Street art becomes increasingly popular and more accepted, and many cities and businesses use street art as a way to revitalize neighborhoods and to attract tourism. These are just a few examples of key dates in the history of street art, but it’s a ongoing and ever-evolving movement and it will continue to change and adapt as time goes on.

Street art big names

There are many street artists who have made significant contributions to the movement, but some of the most notable and influential names in street art include:

  • Banksy: A pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. Il est connu pour ses œuvres ironiques et critiques qui abordent des thèmes tels que la politique, la culture populaire et la société en général.
  • Jean-Michel Basquiat: A Brooklyn-born artist who rose to fame in the 1980s with his graffiti-inspired art and his use of social and political commentary in his work. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of street art. Il est considéré comme l’un des précurseurs du street art contemporain.
  • Keith Haring: An American artist whose pop art and graffiti-like work grew out of the New York City street culture of the 1980s. He used bold lines, bright colors, and active figures in his work to address social issues such as AIDS and racism.
  • Shepard Fairey: An American street artist, graphic designer, and illustrator who became widely known for his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” (Obey) sticker campaign, which evolved into the “OBEY” campaign. Il est surtout connu pour sa série de portraits de Barack Obama, “Hope”, qui a été largement utilisée pendant la campagne présidentielle de 2008.
  • Os Gemeos : twin brothers from São Paulo, Brazil, who work together to create large-scale murals and graffiti art.
  • ROA : A Belgian artist, he is known for his murals of wild animals, often in black and white, which are often executed on abandoned buildings or industrial structures in cities around the world.

They are considered to be among the most influential street artists from Brazil. Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey and Os Gemeos are just a few examples of the many street artists who have had a significant impact on the movement, but there are many more talented artists who have made an impact on the street art scene.

NB :

  • ChatGPT does not have access to the Internet and has no knowledge of events after 2021.
  • ChatGPT works in French too. The French version is also worth a look. If you read French.
  • The illustration in this article is provided by another artificial intelligence, Dall-e 2. We like it… or not.