ROOSTERGNN Staff[translations idioma=”ES” url=”https://archives.rgnn.org/2013/09/20/closed-art-o-graffiti-en-las-fachadas”]
SPAIN. The Spanish storefront-graffiti movement started in Barcelona with a group of street artists called “Persianes Lliures“, “persianes” meaning the store shutters and “lliures” meaning free. That is, the street artists would use the store shutters as legal walls and spray them for no charge. At ROOSTERGNN, we have decided to give a more international name to this movement: “Closed Art.”
Street | ROOSTERGNN
In 2011, the town hall in Barcelona decided to prohibit the spraying by imposing fines both on the artists and the shop owners.
Painted shop | ROOSTERGNN
The artists consequently decided to take action in other cities.
Closed shop | ROOSTERGNN
In Madrid, they officially hosted a legal spraying event where over 100 street artists came together to spray storefronts for free.
Al otro lado | ROOSTERGNN
Opinions varied; while some looked down on street artists doing their work for free and claimed for a monetary compensation, others considered that it should be done for free. The last group thought true spray painting could only be done illegally.
Graffiti in a door shop | ROOSTERGNN
To this day, the Barcelona-based artists haven’t given up either. Another group called “Murs lliures,” or “free walls” emerged to fight for legally allowing murals to be sprayed and joined Persianes Lliures.
Painted Farmacia door | ROOSTERGNN
Now both groups are the same and belong to Rebobinart Association.
Graffiti | ROOSTERGNN
According to one of the street artists, there exists a “Graffiti Darwinism”.
Bike store graffiti | ROOSTERGNN
The “Graffiti Darwinism” is a tacit agreement that a sprayer can only spray on top of another artist’s work if he or she will supersede it.
Store painting | ROOSTERGNN
Rebobinart organizes workshops and other educational workshops for aspiring street artists. Even children are invited to participate.
Graffiti in a shop | ROOSTERGNN
Do you have photos of “Closed Art” you would like to share? Register at rgnn.org/register and upload your own!