Street Art Makes Life Better
Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Having hundreds of neighborhoods with an incalculable number of cultures. One of the best ways to see and understand the cultures in Chicago is with art. Especially the murals. Each mural has a story behind it giving one an insight into the artist and the culture of the city. The street art gives a chance for minorities and underrepresented to have a voice that is often not given to them. Besides murals you will often see what is referred to as tags. Tags are more individualistic than murals. Artists who tag come up with a name and form their own flairs for the word they tag. People often look down upon tags I think that tags are almost a better insight into culture than murals. With tags they represent individuals rather than trying to show the big picture. Finally when one tags they are making their mark on the city making it their own. Tagging is freely expressing oneself and taking control of the city. When you’re walking and see tags and murals it’s a free window into the culture of the city showing activism, creativity, and individuality.
In todays day and age activism is important and one of the main ways that is shown is through street art. You will often see that more often than not the biggest and most beautiful murals have a deeper message supporting a worthy cause. That is the best way for communities to show their support for a cause. Seen above is a mural in support of the Chicago Fire Department and firefighters alike. This mural is called “First ones in last ones out” it was completed after the September 11ht attacks to show support for firefighters and the lives lost that day. This is a direct example of how a mural can show a neighborhoods support for a cause or organization. Furthermore, you will see murals in support of minorities and calling out injustices, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. “‘We wanted to show support for the movement, and this is the best way we know how,’ McClellan said. ‘We’re really glad to have participated, and excited with how beautifully it turned out.’” (Ward Black lives matter mural painted by 18 artists takes over Uptown Street) This quote is talking about a Black Lives matter mural that was put up in Uptown. The artist is saying that they wanted to show support for the community. They were unsure of ways that they could but being an artist, street art was the best way to do so. This directly shows how street art can be used as way to support communities and minorities. Lots of times, when using words things can be lost in translation. Art is a way that people can connect and support one another. This directly proves that street art bring a whole new layer to the streets. First by livening the street, adding color which often makes the street much less dark and dull. Secondly, showing support for causes and spreading awareness.
You will see tags more often than any mural in Chicago. That is because Chicago is a city with a thriving graffiti scene. There is a massive culture of writers who leave their mark all over the city, expressing themselves and making the city theirs. Most people look down on tags calling the writers criminals and covering their work. People just assume that most tags are gang tags and something negative. They think that the work is ugly. But to ignore the tags and exclude it from the culture of Chicago is arrogant and you would simply not fully grasp the experience that Chicago has to offer. “Just remember that real engagement with your environment also means noticing things that are not necessarily charming at all: security cameras, potholes, weeds, ruins, irritating strangers hollering into their phones.” (Walker The art of noticing: Five ways to experience a city differently) Walker in this article is describing how cities can not fully experienced unless you pay attention to everything around you completely. The good and the bad, both have to be seen and understood. Not everything in the city will be pleasing to you. That includes tags that you will see all around the city. This quote makes me think of the topic I am writing about because, as I was saying, people look down at graffiti and tags. But to understand and to be engaged in the city you have to see them as part of the culture. People use graffiti to express themselves and as a creative output. When one looks at the tags in that way they can see beauty behind each tag. Writers all form their own flairs to their writing and have their own tag. Meaning you can more or less follow an artist throughout the city. You can see and experience all of this, from just noticing something that you think is ugly.
To live in the city one should make their own mark on the city and in their own way make the city their own. People do this in so many different ways but a writers way is by leaving tags. When one leaves a tag they can come back to it time after time and see the mark they left with their art. People can go by it every day and see a mark of this writers personality. Showing the passerby who each writer is and a sneak peak into their personality.“By using an urban place against the grain of common practice, one owned it — albeit for the briefest moment” (Hollis and Benjamin Cities thrive when public space is open to all: Aeon Essays) Right before this Hollis was writing about a run that he went on organized by a man who schedules them during the night. Running around the city of London at 2 am. The author is saying that running at that time at night, one is breaking the social norm. Nobody runs in the city in the middle of night. He is saying that by breaking the social norm they felt more in control of the city. I think the same principle goes for graffiti and street art. Going against that grain and expressing yourself through the art of graffiti is taking control of the city, making it your own. You can observe this art embracing it and make the city your own as well.
Street art is the best way for anyone to understand a city. You can see basic creative and artistic expression. You can see activism and support for minorities and people in need. You can see how people make the city their own. All of this can be seen in street art and is why street art is the best window into the community in each neighborhood and Chicago as a whole.
Video: https://youtu.be/fFNYhwpyKo8
