For decades now, there has been a heated debate about whether or not graffiti can be considered art or just vandalism. I for one think, as long as it’s not violating any private property, graffiti absolutely can be a work of art.
I have seen many, many murals in my life all around my hometown and I must say, some of these urban artists are truly talented. I have seen works depicting historical events, typography, portraits, even anime and video game characters, all in great detail and accuracy. But today we’re going far South from my country to find a very special piece of street art.
Down some street in Chile, Street Life Crew put their hands to work in a piece that would surely be appreciated all around the world, well beyond South America. The mural depicts Zelda and Link (in both human and wolf form) from Twilight Princess in front of a deep black background, which helps highlight the colors of the characters, and carries the characteristic edgy style of graffiti while staying loyal to their original designs.
Zelda’s expression makes her look strong and decided, just as we can see her during the story of the game. Link’s determined look in his human form is proof of the hero he is, and the fierce eyes of his wolf form are basically a sign reading “don’t mess with me“, reminiscent of his brutal attacks in this form.
Accompanying the characters is the crew’s name in a very cool color array, which I’m sure would be astonishing to look at with retro 3D glasses (you know, the red and blue ones). And to the right of Zelda is, of course, the Triforce in all of its geometric glory, shining in gold and the three colors for Courage, Wisdom, and Power.
While some may think this is lacking other iconic characters such as Midna or Ganondorf, I think it is just perfect as it is. It lets each of the included characters stand out on their own, without saturating the space with an eyeful of distinct shapes and colors.
So, is this art? Absolutely yes it is. Art is not limited to museums or expositions; art and beauty are everywhere for us to see and experience, and with the right intention to create it, the whole world can be your canvas.
