Borderlines

The borderline in Poblenou

 As Cities grow, some parts of the city is New and modern and other parts gets old, and some times left to decay until real estate Developers see the opportunity to make money on renewal and modernisation. They develop plans and projects, then they bring in the contractors and work force.

The wall of Demarcation (Big Waalls Project / RerobinART Barcelona)

Graffiti and Street Art thrives on the boarderline where the modernisation force meets the old and worn parts of the city. In this sense street art is a part of counterculture and the public art is a an easthetic demarcation of the frontier.

Mural by Yrwig

Poblenou in Barcelona is a good example of such a frontier where the old meets the new.  Poublenou is an old indurtrial area that had harsh living conditions. But prior to the Olympic games in 1992 the Council started a process of renovation and modernisation. Today, most of the Poublenou area is a modern residential and business area near to the sea shore. On the outskirts of the area it's still some remains of the old industrial parts where street artists can use their creativity.

"A new face" by Penao in Poblenou

 As long as the commercial interests can push forward, it's almost like a "silent agreement" that the street art culture can flourish at the borderline as long as the commercial interests wins in the end. They usually win because they have the money and the resources, and are supported by the Council.

Joint work by El Xupet Negre & Chanoir

Could economical crises and remission be good for street art then? At least some borderlines can survive for a longer time, but I don't think it's that simple because less money also means less interest for art and culture, and less tolerance for countercultures. Street artists can't be left totally in the shadows, they have to survive too!

Stencil mural by SM172

So I guess that the street art culture have to live in the borderland between growth and decay. However, street art is dynamic and as the city grows and modernise, it's always a new fronitier and new demarcations to paint.