Photographing Urban Art as a Keepsake and for Fun
You can find some of the best photo opportunities in famous cities in the form of urban street art. Murals can be found on the sides of buildings in major metropolitan areas. These artists used urban space as a way to display their artwork to a wider public audience. Initially known as graffiti, this type of art began as slogans of protest regarding injustice and racial inequality. Later, artists used their skills in varying degrees of social and political commentary, a precursor to modern urban street art.
Cities with Urban Art
Below is a run-down of cities in North America where the more famous urban mural art may be found.
New York City
“Post-graffiti” urban street art became popular in the 1980s in the neighborhoods of SoHo and the Lower East Side. Area art galleries in the Chelsea arts district began hosting formal exhibitions of street artist’s work. In Brooklyn’s Waterfront, the Williamsburg and Dumbo neighborhoods are recognized street art sites. Click on the following link for a list of urban mural art in NYC.
Chicago
The works of acclaimed street artists such as Hebru Brantley, Jeff Zimmerman, and Gaia are an integral part of Chicago’s progressive arts culture.
Tens of thousands of square feet of murals can be found on bridges, buildings, train stations, and even parking garages, telling the story of faith and hope, race and immigration, struggle and success, family and joy.
Atlanta
In 2011, the city of Atlanta established a Graffiti Task Force. Some actions were taken by the unit, including arrests of artists deemed vandals which caused community opposition. Some considered the city’s efforts as “misdirected” or “futile.” After being sued by a group of artists in 2017, the city of Atlanta agreed not to enforce an ordinance requiring artists to obtain city approval for murals on private property. Images and locations of over 200 works of Atlanta street art can be found on the Atlanta Street Art Map.
Pennsylvania
A Mural Arts Program established in 1984 helped the city of Philadelphia earn praise as the “City of Murals.” City officials initiated the project to encourage graffiti artists to use their talents more constructively. Click on the following link for a list of mural sites in Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles
A high concentration of street murals can be found in the Los Angeles Arts District. Hollywood and streets such as Sunset Boulevard, La Brea, Beverly Boulevard, La Cienega, and Melrose Avenue are among other key locations where murals can be found. LAB ART Los Angeles devotes its 6,500 square feet of gallery space to street art. Artwork by local artists such as Alec Monopoly, Annie Preece, Smear and Morley are among the collection. Los Angeles mural artist Kim West is known for her murals depicting wildlife and nature. Using a combination of different mediums, including acrylic, spray paint and gold leaf — her work can be seen throughout downtown’s Arts District.
San Francisco
San Francisco’s Mission District has densely packed street art along Mission Street, and along both Clarion and Balmy Alleys. The neighborhoods of Hayes Valley, SoMa, Bayview-Hunters Point and the Tenderloin have also become known for street art. San Francisco is known as one of the most colorful cities in the country — it also has some of the greatest public art and murals in the world. Click here for a list of well-known mural artists in San Francisco and where to find them.
Bring Them to Life in 3D
Get ready to pack your bags and travel to some of these great cities to photograph beautiful street art! Bring them to life with the LucidPix App in full 3D color. Impress your friends with these souvenir photographs of art like they have never seen before. Download the LucidPix App today!