Challenging Broken Systems
Source 1Street art sheds light to what might otherwise be an unspoken battle. Among the growing entanglement of commerce and city, the people began to reclaim the public space within cities across America. Artists coming from a spectrum of backgrounds combatted the visually-controlled polluted cityscape with their own narrative. In Branding Creativity: Creative Cities, Street Art, and ‘Making your Name Sing’, Sarah Banet-Weisner discusses street arts necessary roots as it works to critique the institutions through “brandalism”.
Source 1 reveals the Maestra Peace Mural in San Francisco, CA. Completed by 7 artists who utilize their talent for activism and freedom-fighting, the mural stands as a testament to the women from all walks of life who have impacted the world. In a land teeming with advertisements, these artists have worked to create a brand for themselves. While this mural is one that wasn’t done through the means of vandalism but through mutual agreement, not all impactful street artists insist on revealing their name or face such as Banksy. In other cases, the artists seek to have their name pop amongst the corporate branded jungle.
The artists identity in Source 2 is a mystery, however it’s messaging critiques the very political landscape we dwell in. The forces (e.g. police) are supposed to protect us, but in turn we feel as though the gun is back around. Riddled with snake symbolism in the background, the forces essence is revealed. As street arts popularity grows, so does the public’s critical eye. It may very well be that it’s through these forms of expression that the broken systems are able to be challenged and revitalized for the better.
Source 1
Source 2
Works:
Sarah Banet-Weiser, “Branding Creativity: Creative Cities, Street Art, and “Making Your Name Sing” in Authentic™: The Politics of Ambivalence in a Brand Culture” (pp. 91-124).
