As a photographer I have learned to love all types of art. What I love about going to the Wynwood section of Miami is the intricate graffiti and murals splashed all over the walls in a 10 block radius. It blows my mind the art that I see in the Wynwood graffiti. You literally could spend a day there walking around and admiring every piece of art that is drawn about building walls.
I love graffiti. I love perusing through books of old graffiti that were applied to the subway cars of NYC. I don’t think every form of graffiti painted or drawn on walls is art. I, personally, have an issue with “tagging”. I don’t see who scribbling your name and making it unreadable is art. I understand the tagging culture I just don’t believe its art.
I head down to Wynwood once a month, usually for the Art Walk that happens the 2nd Saturday of every month. I have never actually driven or walked around to take in all the art that Wynwood has to offer. I decided an afternoon driving and walking around was needed. A lot of the art is located from 29th to 22st off of NW 2nd Ave in Miami. Hip restaurants are popping up as well as emerging art galleries and they have embraced the graffiti as art concept.
Like most graffiti there are pieces of pure art and some pieces that are political or socially prevalent. It’s up to the viewer to try to interpret what the artist was trying to convey. What I really enjoy is walking around and seeing different types of people from different backgrounds admiring and appreciating the art. I would strongly encourage people who live here in South Florida and never have checked out the art to go see it. Wynwood is centrally located next to Midtown Miami and the Design District. It’s a hope and a skip off of I-195.
My other reason for checking out the Wynwood graffiti was to find pieces I could use in a photo shoot. Driving around I counted 4 photo shoots that were going on. I have my favorite pieces that I like to look at. There is one piece on the side of NW 6th Ave of a guy with his arms raised. I see this every time I traverse I-95. I challenge others to go out there and see which piece of art speaks to you. Granted Miami is not on the same level as NYC or LA art wise but I feel in time Miami will grow into a powerhouse. The potential is there and I can’t wait to be there when it does.
