Italian Street Art

(Milan)

Travelling through Italy, it was a kick to compare and contrast the Street Art (Spray Paint Grafitti, stencils, stickers) to the ancient murals and statues of the Roman Empire and Vatican Inc. Politically, the two art forms couldn’t be farther apart: one commissioned by power and the other committed on the fly. However, both are comments on empires past and present.

(Venice)

North American lefties can often romanticize Europe as an oasis of tolerance and enlightenment. However, xenophobia and bigotry against North African immigrants and Arabs runs pretty high there too. In Rome, I witnessed Italian police chasing African immigrants all around the Vatican City area for the crime of selling knock-off Prada bags on corners.

(Venice)

A variation on a stencil that I think originated in North America.

(Milan)

The issue of Blood Diamonds is very much in the public awareness in Italy.

(Bologna)

Portions of an incredible 400-foot mural in Milan dedicated to Carlo Giuliani.

Finally, some apolitical eye-candy…