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By Becky Mahan, Editor
Lima, Peru
by: Elvert Barnes flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Urban artwork in Lima runs the gamut of watercolor-esque paintings to bold, thought-provoking quotes about social and political issues. Artists like Elliot Tupac utilizes his art as a stimulant to encourage viewers to discuss these issues and encourage change.
Los Angeles, California
by: Lord Jim flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
With over 1,600 murals, including the infamous Chandler Outdoor Gallery collection in the NoHo arts district, LA is home to many a street art piece and encompasses messages of love, tolerance, unity, racism, bigotry, and politics. The Great Wall of Los Angeles is half a mile long and visitors an walk or bike the trail that runs alongside it.
Moscow, Russia
by: carlfbagge flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Urban art has flourished in Moscow in recent years. Artist P183, otherwise known as the “Russian Banksy,” is known for his controversial projects, like painting riot police on subway doors.
Lisbon, Portugal
by: Jeanne Menj flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Lisbon’s street art is nothing to scoff at: the murals are often massive, scaling across entire buildings. In fact, an urban art experiment called the Crono Project was developed to encourage artists to contribute, and to bring the showpieces to the rest of the world.
Cape Town, South Africa
by: tsn92 flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Head to Woodstock for the most varied street art, done by artists from all over the world. Most of them make social statements and focus on themes like environmental and global destruction, and conservation.
Bristol, England
by: Matt From London flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Bristol is full of counter-cultural artists and general social ferment, which bodes well for art aficionados. Hit up the Stokes Croft ‘hood for in-your-face street art (and great bars, cafes, and eateries.)
Berlin, Germany
by: Phillie Casablanca flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
No surprise here, Germany’s capital is also a global arts capital and filled with plenty of heavy street art. The most popular place to start your art tour is the remaining section of the Berlin Wall, which is now known as the East Side Gallery. What was once a tool of separation and oppression is now an international memorial to freedom.
Granada, Spain
by: dr_zoidberg flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Head to the Raljo quarter to see work by the famous El Niño de las Pinturas, also known as ‘Sex’ and the ‘Banksy of Spain.’ The former Jewish neighborhood has whitewashed walls and narrow streets, which El Niño filled with thought-provoking quotes like ‘Essence is invisible to the eyes’.
Washington D.C., U.S.
by: Matt From London flickr – Courtesy: Trip.com
Creative arts have gotten even more…creative…in the last year, and since the most recent presidential election, it’s just outright blatant. Forget subtle: much of the art here is heavy on politics, presidents, Congresses, Senates, bills, and corruption.
Source: gogobot.com