Although it is not usually posted in museums or galleries, graffiti is considered art in the art world. The Wrangler believes that “graffiti is a form of expression. Graffiti allows artists to express themselves, as does painting, illustration, performance and any other form of art. In terms of technique, street art tends to be based on images, while graffiti is more commonly based on words.
Labeling, for example, is the most basic result of traditional graffiti writing, in which artists repeatedly use a single symbol, word or series of letters as their own signature or personalized “label”. These “urban autographs” were first used by gangs seeking to mark their territory, but since then they have evolved and served as a stepping stone to newer and more intricate forms of graffiti. Both murals and graffiti are forms of street art because they are usually displayed outdoors on public streets. As expected, the idea that a form of artistic expression could be considered vandalism is not widespread among graffiti artists.
I think that really anything is art if it has a meaning for you. But there is a moral line that must not be crossed. Graffiti is usually word-based art, and street art is more commonly based on images. There are a million reasons why graffiti exists and many others for street art.
Addressing the study of street art, murals and the creative instincts of graffiti is a fascinating study of human psychology and art history. In this sense, graffiti predates street art and many street artists are inspired by graffiti. Pastes and multimedia elements are gaining popularity; the use of stencils, vinyl or eggshell stickers, clay, markers, fabrics, wool and textiles are now used in street art and graffiti. As the appreciation for street art has increased, some graffiti artists who previously had to work illegally have chosen to produce custom or approved works of art.
They will present their portfolios to different street art festivals or get permission from the property owner before starting a mural. So what's the difference between graffiti and street art? It can be difficult to pinpoint an exact answer in black and white. According to Will Gompertz, art editor at the BBC, the popularity of street art is related to the fact that it originally explores current topics, often political ones. Misplaced installations, wire bombardments, video projections and rock balancing are also forms of street art.
There are even street art festivals where artists leave their mark in a welcoming way, such as Pinta Malasaña, CALLE Lavapies, Upfest, Nuart and Mural Festival. Some street artists, such as Banksy, may use a pseudonym, but many other street artists use their real names and promote their work commercially. Murals have been around since the Renaissance, and the term mural is often used interchangeably with street art. Most street art uses figurative elements that can be easily contemplated by people with or without any (artistic) background.
Street art is often welcomed and encouraged as a way to beautify a neighborhood, while the perception of graffiti is quite the opposite. In this sense, street art interventions tend to be placed in very emotional places with which locals feel a strong connection. Other times, small works of street art and guerrilla-style graffiti appear in the middle of the night in random places in the urban environment.
