ReArk.org

Australia, Melbourne. Grafitti wall.

Image by Vigen Galstyan, 2009

For many years Street art has been synonimous with graffiti and… vandalism. Today, it has become not only a legitimate art form, but is also encouraged by a number of forward-looking city administrations, such as that of Melbourne, Australia. In fact, the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra is one of the very few major museums in the world to collect examples of street art, which it has been doing for the past five years. Emphemerial in nature it can take the form of a graffiti, a full-blown fresco, posters, stickers, mosaics and even sculptural or object installations. Often politically induced it is a direct and forceful medium that contains a live-wire link to the most active elements of youth culture. At its best street artists can completely transform a city and turn it into a magical place, invigorating often squalid parts of the urban environment. Here are some examples from around the world that we have chanced upon.