Urban Artem’s main focus is street art. As it says in the About section, it “was born from the love of art, photography and the outdoors,” therefore, we wanted to know more about how the journey into documenting street art started for Larry. “In 2017, I was on a trip out west, and the first stop was Reno, NV. I was on my way to photograph the casinos and the early morning city life, and I had to go through an area they call midtown. When entering midtown, the roads were full of potholes, buildings in decay, and many of them abandoned. Then a few blocks later, I started to see paintings on buildings, and the visual effect and quality of the art had an immediate impact on me as a lover of the arts."
"I pulled over at a store called the Junkee and started asking the staff about the area, and if there were more paintings on buildings I could go see. Over the next several days, I explored Reno, photographing every piece of street art I could find and talking to the residents. It was then, I realized, street art and the artists creating these pieces were in the middle of reviving and transforming Reno into a vibrant urban art community."
"Needless to say, I found great joy and exhilaration in exploring to find the unseen art, composing it into a photograph, and sharing it with others. I was hooked on street art,” shared Larry.
Nowadays, there are numerous street artists, each having their own individual style. We were curious how Larry decides which artwork is worth documenting and if there is a particular style or artist that he is drawn to.
“I photograph almost everything I come across. My focus is on the composition and quality of the photograph so others can get a true appreciation of the piece. With art, the beauty of the piece is truly in the eye of the beholder. Street art is often a mixed media style, and at first glance, it may not stand out. But, upon a second look, I often find amazing pieces of art, within a much bigger mural or a collaboration piece."
"Another part of my mission is the documentation of street art. Many amazing pieces of street art are lost forever. It simply could be painted over, the building is torn down, damaged in a storm, and various other uncontrollable causes,” wrote Larry.
It's true that street art pieces have an expiration date. They can get painted over since they are outside, the paint can get worn out, or they may simply fade away over time. Despite this transience, street art plays a crucial role in contemporary society by challenging traditional notions of art, reclaiming public spaces, and fostering social commentary.
“Just as I saw in Reno, the same thing is happening in every street art community we visit. Decaying and forgotten downtowns are transforming into new, vibrant art and business districts, through street art, murals, sculptures, and other mediums. Street art is enabling communities to introduce younger generations to the arts in a way that is relatable to them. Their appreciation of the arts will continue to grow from this exposure,” shared Larry.
If there are cities with buildings and empty wall space, there is a street artist thinking of a unique piece to put there. The universal nature of street art is to adapt and thrive in different cultural contexts.
“Universally, I see street art reflecting the history, culture, issues, or accomplishments of that community. Yet, there is diversity in the specific subject matter chosen. Most recently, I saw this while in Carolina Beach, NC to shoot photos of JEKS finishing the mural, 'Tribute to Carolina Shag'. The mural celebrates former resident 'Chicken Hicks' and shag dancing. Chicken is credited for creating the modern shag dance, which is a big part of the Carolina Beach history and culture.”
“No matter where you go, street art is celebrated and embraced as the community's art!”
And lastly, Larry shared: “As I release my street art photo collections, I am reminded that street artists are working artists, trying to make ends meet. I encourage you to seek out street artists from your community and support them through their artwork. If you would like to feature a street artist or event on Urban Artem, please submit the information at www.urbanartem.com.”
“Begin your Urban Artem Adventure Today!”
