Jan Gemeinholzer: Street Art geographies – Reflections on the creation of spatial identity and practices of place making from Mexican Muralism to recent Graffiti and Urban Art. Case studies Valparaíso, Mexico D.F., Nuremberg.

The Department of Digital Humanities and Social Studies would like to invite you to the following talk in our DH Colloquium:

Jan Gemeinholzer: »Street Art geographies – Reflections on the creation of spatial identity and practices of place making from Mexican Muralism to recent Graffiti and Urban Art. Case studies Valparaíso, Mexico D.F., Nuremberg.«

Abstract:

The talk reviews my studies about the geographies of murals, graffiti and street art. It reflects on the creation of spatial identities and practices of making “themed places” via these art forms in different geographic, socio-economic and historical contexts. The study presented is based on bibliographic research and field works, mainly in the city of Valparaíso, Chile. The spatial distribution of these art phenomena varies drastically from the local to the global level. In the latter case, colorful street art is particularly widespread in anyway colorful urban environs, especially in Latin America. At the local level, Valparaiso is highlighted. Mexico plays a kind of pioneering role insofar as the muralism of ‘The Big Three’ (Orozco, Rivera, and Siqueiros) impacts many modern wall paintings and was promoted in the context of forming a national identity in the Mexican state. In Valparaiso, Chile ́s capital of art and culture, a liberal attitude of the residents as well as propagation by urban planners towards actors and artists is contributing to an ongoing boom of mural arts, which has formed an additional tourist attraction.

Further information and other upcoming talks in the Colloquium can be found here.