We’re living in a modern world where we’re all more intricately connected than ever before. We share our personalities, opinions and passions openly and freely and most of it is visual. In just 60 seconds 216 000 pictures are uploaded to Instagram and Pinterest. and 72 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube.
No wonder then that we’re seeing a strong trend with visual content from graffiti and street art being widely shared online. But is it just cool visuals or is it in fact a result of a growing movement in the art world? I say the latter. We’re privileged today to be able to discover trends very early today thanks to our connected world. The other side of the coin is that we also have a responsibility to react.
When we see graffiti and street art putting pressure on governments, bringing attention to problems, calling out for change – can we just turn a blind eye?
A recent example is the Brazilian’s complex feelings about loving soccer but hating FIFA and costly mega events.
These are real artists on the streets, living real lives with their finger on their society’s pulse. They translate their lives truthfully into art in whatever way, shape or form they can and now, thanks to our connected world, we can all discover it, feel it and share it further. And react.
Here’s a bit of great news: Google’s Cultural Institute has launched Street art, an online depository of over 5000 graffiti images from around the world as part of its Google Art Project.
“The transient nature of street art means it can be at risk of being scrubbed out and lost forever to its legions of fans,” Google’s Lucy Schwartz wrote on the official Google blog. “But long after the paint has faded from the walls, technology can help preserve street art, so people can discover it wherever and whenever they like… Street art may be temporary on our walls and sidewalks, but its beauty and vibrancy live on, on the web.”
This graph shows how the search term ”street art” have been trending over the last couple of years:
Artists from all over the world recently descended on Sweden’s third largest city Malmö and transform it through murals and installations – bringing art to the public! The festival was called Artscape and Romana Correale was there:
The Vertex at Malmö Artscape by RomanaCorreale
Romana Correale is passionate about the world we live in, how to keep it beautiful and healthy. As our business is fashion it’s becoming more obvious and indeed urgent for us to work for a sustainable fashion industry.
Yes, ultimately the people have the power. As consumers we can choose which brands we support. Instead of boycotting we can buycott. There’s even an app to help you, of course, and it’s called Buycott. It helps you to organize your everyday consumer spending so you can fund causes you support and avoid funding those you disagree with.
Fast Fashion, or McFashion as some are calling it, is putting a heavy strain on the environment.
”High volumes requires a greater use of raw materials, energy, water and other resources and contributes to climate change – the U.K.-based organization WRAP estimated that “the processes from raw material to garment supply contribute around one-third of the waste footprint, three-quarters of the carbon impact and most of the water footprint of clothing.” According to WRAP’s research, extending the average life of clothes by just three months of active use per item would lead to a 5 percent to 10 percent reduction in each of the carbon, water and waste footprints.” (Source: http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/04/can-fast-fashion-really-sustainable/)
But companies have power as well and a great responsibility. Organisations like Greenpeace are working hard to raise awareness on issues such as toxic chemicals used in the clothes and textiles we buy.
Greenpeace’s Detox Fashion campaign is powered by more than half a million people, demanding toxic-free fashion and clean water. You can visit their great website and take action today. Together we’re challenging some of the world’s most popular clothing brands to work with their suppliers and eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals into our water.
Romana Correale proudly supports Greenpeace with this manifesto:
Fashion manifesto for Greenpeace by Romana… by RomanaCorreale
And finally, watch this making of video of a graffiti art piece we lovingly named ”The Green Giant”.
Kaos & Ogre graffiti art for Romana Correale… by RomanaCorreale
Special thanks to Ligisd and Great Bates for their welcome and Ollie & Victor and Caroline for being such an amazing team! Last but not least Andrea for his beautiful video interview and making of the Green Giant.
Written by Tommy Sollén and Francesca Romana Correale
