Keep the paintboard, a spray can for the taggin'

One of the more interesting things about Italy is the sheer weight of artistry that it has. It as though art has become an essential part of the Italian culture, or at least it seems that way when I wandered about the streets and the markets and stalls within them. You truly get the impression that so many people are brought up surrounded by magnificent works of art or steeped in a culture that has produced so many great artists that many more people aspire to that way of life, even if it is just a hobby. The ability of people to produce gorgeous oil paintings, watercolour pictures or pencil drawings is definitely a marvel, and going to various Piazzas or alleyways filled with stalls or streets artists is a worthwhile past-time within Rome's streets.

However, perhaps one of the more unique and impressive artistic endeavours I was more incredible for the manner of its production rather than the end result. That's not to say the finished pieces weren't impressive, but it was the means by which they were created that was the real masterpiece. I saw only two of these 'spray can' artists, who created picture of Roman landmarks with nothing more than cardboard, various spray cans, a few stencils and some newspaper. By layering multiple colours of spray can paint, then adding additional layers after placing stencils on the 'canvas', these artists were able to produce pieces that were magnificent in their use of colour gradients. Using different colours to represent different parts of the day, and roughening the effect by splattering paint with their fingers or newspaper to give the impression of stars, clouds or foliage, they could produce quite a interest range of pieces with very few tools.

Yet the most impressive aspect was the speed at which they were created. Taking somewhere around 5 minutes to create, it was almost akin to performance art to watch these artworks being made, each one seeming like a combination of precision and spontaneous inspiration. An impressive talent from a place where artistic creativity almost appears to be commonplace.