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-Street art is so much more than just doing work with spray cans. It includes a lot of

other art forms, pretty much anything thats temporary and in the public space.

Street art in Melbourne first arrived in the 1980s from the vibrant city of New York, what started

as train way scrawls political slogans and silent protests gradually took on an artistic form which

created a whole new subculture in Melbourne. By the end of the nineteen eighties, street art

was at its peak and started to attract international artists such as Banksy, Blec Le Rat and

Deface. By the 21stcentury, exciting new forms of street art started to pop up, such as stencils,

stickers and paste ups. Nowadays, street art is at the heart of Melbournes pop cultur e and

tourism and is regarded almost entirely as art. This attitude towards street art has changed as

people have begun to recognize the artistic element of it and local councils have also become

more accepting of it. The Melbourne city council has long regarded street art as a form of

vandalism as shown in the lead-up to the Commonwealth games in 2006 where laneways

around the city such as Hosier lane, were wiped clean. The cracked down on street artists,

many of them were charged with criminal offences. Currently the Melbourne city has changed

its attitude towards street art and this is what they have to say:

Conversation:

So more recently, instead of having graffiti removal for street art city of Melbourne has actually

gone ahead an encouraged street art. We have set up whats called the Street Art Commission

and certain areas, within the CBD where street artists can actually conduct street art. So places

like Degraves Street and Hosier Lane. In the CBD where artist can come and demonstrate their

art, instead of it being graffiti and having to be removed.

Not only have council adopted a more open attitude towards street art so have the public across

Melbourne by giving street art a permanent spot in galleries, the mood of the work changes

dramatically. What used to be a trilling, exhilarating and temporary method of expression is now

placed in a very controlled and formal environment and decorative art.

Conversation:

What do you think about Street art in galleries?

1.

I think it is a good idea; you can preserve it, instead of it being tagged.

2.

In my opinion, street art belongs on the street.

Driving the demand for street art in galleries is the more positive attitude the public has

adopted and though there are still people who dislike it, the majority are far more accepting

7/27/2019 Urban Evolution - Street Art Documentary

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Zoc- urban scrawl tours

-In the beginning people were really scared of it. And now, most people, including the

council are pretty supportive of it. Of course there are still people who hate it, but most

people realize it is a tourism attraction in Melbourne, and it adds something really

interesting to the city

Conversation

1.

I like street art when its artistic and it is not vandalism, so things like this I like, but when

its lewd messages, I am not a big fan.

2.

People appreciate street art when its good, like it is an art form

3.

Its colorful and vibrant is different

4. Its great, colors up laneways and darker parts of the city //local

5.

I see it as the passion of what someone is feeling //tourist

6.

There is some sketchy stuff around, but theres some real good stuff too. It should be

encouraged //student

Street art has undergone many changes since its arrival from New York in 1980s. What started

as train way scrawls has developed into a dynamic art form celebrated by the public and council

alike. These days street art is more widely accepted in the community and is one of Melbournes

most popular tourist attractions. The future of street art, much like the art form itself, is

unpredictable. We could see an increase in galleries and commissioned art. Or it might just stay

the same. What is for certain though, is that with new generations taking up the spray can every

day, street art will continue to flourish and evolve.