Translator
Happy #traveltuesday dear readers!
I love street art. My only complain is that there isn’t enough of it in Malaysia. On my last trip to London, I spent ages enjoying the street art that the city had to offer. Anyway British street art is synonymous with one name. Banksy. He is perhaps the most famous, or infamous, artist alive. To some a genius, to others a vandal. Always controversial, he inspires admiration and provokes outrage in equal measure. Since Banksy made his name with his trademark stencil-style ‘guerrilla’ art in public spaces – on walls in London, Brighton, Bristol and even on the West Bank barrier separating Israelis and Palestinians – his works have sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds. So what if you are jaded fan, having seen one too many “banksy” creations and nothing moves you anymore? Well, this week’s guest post is about a city that boasts a stunning collection of cutting edge urban artworks.. to all street art fans, time for a holiday!
Bored of Banksy: Package holiday Pilgrimage
Tenerife has been a favourite package deal destination for generations of winter-weary Brits, but the island has a cultural heritage beyond the usual booze and beaches…
taken from the banksy website where he gives his art away for free because that’s just how rad he is! (via smirk.monster)
Ubiquitous Bristol scamp Banksy has stirred up interest and respect for street art across the world. The medium has now secured itself in the creative consciousness of the masses. However, after one too many dinner parties spent cooing over his glossy books, Banksy fans everywhere are beginning to wonder, might there be other good graffiti artists out there?
Painting the Town Red…and Yellow and Pink and Green
Flickr photo by Mataprada
The answer is clearly yes, and Tenerife has turned out to be a bit of a mecca for them. Although more often associated with the kind of street decoration produced by one too many alcopops, the popular island destination boasts a stunning collection of cutting edge urban artworks.
Tenerife Shines
Flickr photo by Mataprada
The capital Santa Cruz is a particular hot spot, and with the huge range of cheap package holidays on offer, graffiti fans have the perfect opportunity to develop their appreciation of the medium while soaking up a few much-needed rays.
Flickr photo by Mataprada
As well as the rich variety of impromptu street graphics around Tenerife, the town of La Orotava holds an annual Corpus Christi festival which features gigantic sand paintings covering many of the streets and squares.
La Orotava Sand Paintings
Flickr photo by Mataprada
Using naturally coloured sand as well as flower petals, local artists festoon the streets with religious images and patterns, creating the kind of municipal chaos Banksy could only dream of.
The Corpus Christi festival happens in June each year, but check calendars for exact dates. Graffiti exhibits are obviously available year round, as are two for one Slippery Nipples and Premier League football should your creative consciousness become overwhelmed.
The Morning After
Flickr photo by Mataprada
Sources:
Tenerife’s Uniquely Stunning Carpeted Town
The Awesome Graffiti of Tenerife
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I loooove street art! There should be much more around!!! There are so many places full of dirty & ugly concrete.
i agree melvin! but some ppl think street at is a hazard unfortunately.. i on the otherhand love it!
I will nevah be bored of Banksy.
Haha… but Tenerife looks really cool!
i love the artwork for the little girl whose heart-shaped balloon is flying away. it’s so simple, but so memorable.
ya, it would be kinda nice to have street art in kl. but hmmmm, which area would be suitable?
Oh I love street art!! It is so alive!!!
Haha, I was just chatting with J on this last Saturday about Banksy. I *heart* street art!
J, Sean,Juno, LFB,
i HEART street art too!
Sean,
(
let me think.. how about the PUDU jail wall.. like BEFORE they tore it down..
Wow – amazing shots. I love street art too and get too see so many Banksy originals around work here in London. They are great but I love mixing things up with a splash of colour like the ones you’ve shown us from Tenerife. Great post!
thanks dear!
[...] Bored of Banksy? Tenerife, Street Art Mecca! – via @agentcikay [...]
There’s a lot of chatter about Banksy selling his soul. Yar, good to have more street art.
agree LL baybeh!
Can see a lot of street arts in European countries which i really enjoy it~
i agree! i love it too.. too bad Malaysia has really limited streetart
I am a fan of any post with the word ubiquitous in it.
ROFLMAO !!
street art mekka op Tenerife? kan iemand mij vertellen waar het toegestaan is om portretten te tekenen? Heb 3 maanden op Mallorca gewerkt en wil graag naar Tenerife deze winter.
You don’t see so much in the South of Tenerife… unless you include sand sculptures.
Great and facinating article and got me thinking as Florida is my thing that you just do not see much street art in Orlando and I think there missing out.