By Naiara Galarraga Gortázar (El País)
The last major graffiti battle in São Paulo was fought on a carefully staged day in January 2017. João Doria, a big fan of political marketing and stunts, hadn't even been mayor for a month when he joined municipal cleaning staff in spraying gray paint on the murals on 23 de Maio Avenue, the most iconic showcase of local urban art. Like any other worker, he wore a helmet, overalls and a mask. The artists protested with drawings on other walls. This is the latest twist in this battle between graffiti artists and the authorities of the economic capital of Brazil, a battle that has lasted for more than two decades. But Doria's staging was a sterile gesture:he had not yet understood that street murals had already won the political and cultural war for public space.
Read alsoThe urban art of Butte-aux-Cailles is under the QR code
The framework
This article is for subscribers only.
You have 93% left to discover.
To cultivate your freedom is to cultivate your curiosity.
Continue reading your article for € 1 the first month
I ENJOY IT
Already subscribed?
Log in