cores lindas, cor de neon #kobra #rio #rj #portomaravilha #riostreetart #olympicgamesrio2016
A photo posted by Lianna Codina (@liannafc) on
In Rio de Janeiro, street art is king.
Thanks to a decree signed by the Brazilian city’s mayor in 2012, all graffiti and street art created on designated city property is legal. (And street art created on private property is permitted with the consent of property owners.) That’s why panoramic shots of the 2016 Olympic hub often include hints of painted walls or building-size portraits. There is a lot of outdoor artwork to see in Rio.
A photo posted by Favela Painting Project (@favelapainting) on
Across the city, street artists enjoy a kind of freedom many muralists around the world envy. One that benefits not only the creative vigilantes who travel with spray paint in tow, but the residents of a region in constant flux. In fact, for those living in Rio’s favelas, or slums, street art has helped highlight the economic disparity that plagues the city. It has helped beautify decaying buildings and revitalize portions of the neighborhoods that tourists overlook. (Which is, frankly, more than the IOC has done so far.)
“Today, many [police] officers support graffiti initiatives for city beautification, and as a crime deterrent,” Lu Olivero, founder of Aerosol Carioca, wrote in a 2014 op-ed for The New York Times. “They understand that graffiti can be a career opportunity for youth in low-income neighborhoods. The growth of graffiti in Brazil, and its role in challenging the status quo, demonstrates the power of art, and its ability to create dialogue.”
For those in Brazil for the 2016 Olympics who want to tour a city known for its vibrant public art, the InstaWalkRio account on Instagram offers visitors and city dwellers a map outlining the various street art spots across Rio.
But for those not able to watch the games in person who also want to experience the beauty of Rio’s murals and graffiti digitally, like they do the Olympic events, we’ve rounded up 50 of our favorite photos capturing the city’s captivating wall art.
From JR’s massive portraits of athletes to Kobra’s recent murals to the dozens of examples of hometown art, here are 50 reasons Rio’s street art scene is worth exploring:
A photo posted by Stephan/Cologne- Ehrenfeld (@logistix) on
A photo posted by Stephan/Cologne- Ehrenfeld (@logistix) on
A photo posted by Stephan/Cologne- Ehrenfeld (@logistix) on
A photo posted by Stephan/Cologne- Ehrenfeld (@logistix) on
A photo posted by Marilia Marx (@marxmarilia) on
A photo posted by Marilia Marx (@marxmarilia) on
A photo posted by • Rafaela Monteiro • (@_rafamon_) on
A photo posted by Stephan/Cologne- Ehrenfeld (@logistix) on
A photo posted by Rio Bay Housing (@riobayhousing) on
A photo posted by villas (@rodrigo_villas) on
A photo posted by Fárlei Canha da Silva (@ffcanhs) on
#streetart #leblon #brazilstreetart #riostreetart #muralism #muralismo
A photo posted by Fárlei Canha da Silva (@ffcanhs) on
Curious who lives in 317. #rio #riodejaneiro #riostreetart #streetart
A photo posted by Greg Ho (@grg.ho) on
Tá me esperando na janela, ai, ai... #streetart #graffiti #stencil #riostreetart #rioarte
A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Welton Juliace ♋📷🎨✂💄👣 (@tonjuliace) on
A photo posted by #codefc (@codefc) on
Teal bug and crazy awesome street art 💙 #RioStreetArt
A photo posted by Emily Mackey (@emilymackey2) on
A photo posted by Alexandre Puga (@alexandrepuga) on
A photo posted by marys (@san.mari) on
A photo posted by Rodrigo Coelho (@coelhosrodrigo) on
A photo posted by Anton Milin (@anotomilin) on
#riodejaneiro #brasil #streetart #riostreetart #brasilstreetart
A photo posted by James de Graaf (@james.dg) on
A photo posted by Galeria a Céu Aberto (@galeriaaceuaberto) on
that tree is wired yo #riostreetart #travelphotography #openyoureyes #streetart
A photo posted by melissa troup (@roamingmellon) on
A photo posted by Galeria a Céu Aberto (@galeriaaceuaberto) on
A photo posted by Matt Remington (@mattremington) on
A photo posted by Sérgio Piedade (@pekeno_84) on
A photo posted by Daniel Falcão Fotografia (@danielfalcaofotografia) on
A photo posted by 4️⃣ginie 🚐 der 🌿 (@virginievdh) on
A photo posted by Marilia Marx (@marxmarilia) on
For more Olympics coverage:
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