Street Art

#Credit: My Dog Sighs

'De paso y pausa' by Spanish Taquen in Agés, Spain (2021) #taquen#ages#streetart#lamolinastreetart via artist http://bit.ly/3Rq82B3

Now more than ever before, public art is on the rise. New murals crop up in cities, large and small, on what feels like an everyday basis, each one breathing new, vibrant life into the streets that were once blank canvases for creativity. The terms graffiti and street art have long been used interchangeably to describe these public art installations—but what should we really call them? Is there a difference?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if the way you refer to your favorite public art is accurate, you’re certainly not alone. Let’s explore the origins of graffiti and street art, the similarities the two share, and the key differences that set them apart.

What is graffiti?

Depending on who you ask, graffiti is either a form of vandalism, or a form of art—or both, simultaneously. By definition, graffiti refers to markings, photos, words, initials, or drawings that have been…