URBAN CAMERA: Graffiti in Buenos Aires

“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.”  –Banksy

It’s no secret that I love everything that has to do with street art. Whether they are shaped stencils, massive murals, colored stickers or even the ceramic tiles of the Space Invader, they all create a beautiful urban art that matters and affects the environment. I often say that as much as New York is a home to a great amount of museums, the real museums are not among the four white walls but outside on the streets.

As a photographer based in New York, the streets of this city have always been a great inspiration for my photography. And Banksy, Shepard Fairey/OBEY Giant, Mr. Brainwash, JR, Know Hope, Klone, ElbowToe and Swoon are some of the names I like to follow.    With time, my curiosity about street art has taken me beyond the streets of New York, to the streets of other major cities such as Berlin, Paris, London, Tel Aviv and one of the most surprising and inspiring cities; Buenos Aires.

Last February, I was invited by Graffiti Mundo to photograph one of their walking tours, a tour that followed the graffiti scene in the different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires.    Graffiti Mundo    started in 2009 with the goal of connecting people with the art on their streets while connecting the artists with their audience. They created guided walking tours that explain the historical context of the art scene, as well as the cultural movement.

With time, the organization focused on promoting and representing the individual artists and set up virtual gallery, came up with street art workshops, started a blog and curated exhibitions of street art. Graffiti Mundo became the “go-to”  with everything that has to do with street art and graffiti in Buenos Aires.

I was at awe while taking the tour. I learned so much about the street art culture and how influential it is in Buenos Aires. In fact, it is legal, like in Rio de Janeiro,     and supported. I’ve learned about the different and creative artists and heard some “Behind the scenes/behind the walls”  sort of stories. Once the tour was over, I was able to recognize the unique style of every street artist in the tour and I was so anxious, in fact, to take the tour again in the next day.

Next time you are visiting Buenos Aires, don’t miss out on this cultural, colorful experience.

Abrazo.

To see more images of Buenos Aires Street Art, please visit my gallery.

Follow Untapped Cities on    Twitter    and    Facebook! Get in touch with the author at sivanaskayo.com.