The Line Between Street Art & Graffiti

Given the fluid definition of art, I’ve often struggled to exactly picture the difference between street art and graffiti. With large scale murals works drawing on the influence of graffiti and incorporating various handtypes, I sought to get a student perspective on what lines they draw between graffiti and street art.

“Nothing Great was Ever Achieved Sitting at Home…”

“unless you’re sitting in your garage building google or some shit.” – Falko One

Craig Cupido, otherwise known as South African graffiti pioneer Falko One, has released a behind-the-scenes documentary which reveals details about Once Upon a A Town – his ongoing social art project.  In collaboration with Redbull, Cupido set out on a journey to visit six small, lesser-known towns in South Africa. Starting in the Western Cape, passing through the Eastern Cape and moving up to the Kalahari, Cupido’s journey was endowed with the intentions of “[getting] to know the real South Africa” by sharing art with people that can’t usually afford art as a luxury.

Street Art as Resistance

Street Art, which has forced its way into the realm of contemporary art today, is in a constant state of ‘becoming’. It encompasses vast and varied means of representation, which includes graffiti, stencils, prints, wheat-pastes, murals and often extends into projects of artistic collaboration – resulting in the creation of street installations or video art. For this reason, it is regarded as a concoction of interdisciplinary forms of artistic expression. Furthermore, it exudes various personally-relevant and societally-applicable meanings. Yet this doesn’t mean its origins, influences or inspirations can’t be traced.

To go beyond concrete…

It’s moving late into the night as I type this up. My mind continues to wander as I ponder the contrast of where I was this very minute yesterday. I am no longer engulfed in the underground sounds of techno at Mødular. but rather find myself sitting at my desk in this lonely hostel room. I’m guided by the everlasting buzz of Main Road that wafts through my window. I’ve taken note that it’s a lot stronger than the coffee I’m sipping. I mean, I’m left sitting in near-silence, pondering my vision and thoughts surrounding this blog.