Graffiti Paint and Protest

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They do it under the cover of darkness, on buildings and storefronts and the walls of alleyways. Can breaking one law help change another? This week, we hear from street artists about graffiti as political protest, as art, and as an addictive, inimitable high.

For the most part, graffiti painters do their work in the shadows or at night. The risks can be steep – arrest at best, death by falling from a tall building at worst. And yet, year after year, cities fill with spray-painted tags and colorful murals. This week on the show, political protest with a spray can. We hear from street artists in Barcelona, Paris and São Paolo about why they keep painting, and what they’re trying to accomplish.

Graffiti Paint and Protest was produced by Steve Urquhart. All photos courtesy of Steve Urquhart.

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Street art in Barcelona

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Steve Urquhart interviewing Brazilian street artist Baixo Ribeiro

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Brazilian street artist Cripta Djan

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Graffiti in Paris

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A mural in Barcelona

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A mural in Barcelona

Credits

Hosts:

Bob Carlson, KCRW Staff

Producer:

Steve Urquhart