Tears in the Rain. Street Art Conservation in a City that is Constantly Changing

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Published: Jun 18, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/monubasin.8331
Keywords:
Street Art Conservation Graffiti Public Murals Urban Art
Maria Chatzidakis
Alexis Stefanis
Abstract

Street art has become a worldwide phenomenon over the past few decades, especially in major cities, serving as a form of urban activism that reflects the current socio-political landscape. These ephemeral artworks are vulnerable to deterioration due to outdoor exposure and human intervention.


The conservation of street art is a growing field that has gained the attention of international organizations, academics, and professionals. Since 2009, the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art at the University of West Attica has been at the forefront of exploring the ethics, documentation, and research related to street art conservation. The department has been actively involved through lessons, educational programs, and voluntary efforts.


The alteration, extensive deterioration, and potential loss of street art create a different value and interpretive context. The deterioration and losses can enhance or even extend the meaning of the artwork. Deterioration becomes an integral element in the dynamic interpretation and understanding of the artworks, transforming the role of conservation from merely decelerating deterioration to actively interpreting it.


The conservation of street art has brought forth profound questions and challenges that prompt a reconsideration of the broader perspective and ethics of conservation. To this end, documentation and educational initiatives serve as proactive measures in the preservation of street art as a contemporary city’s patina and living heritage.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Part VI - Decorative Architecture Design, Planning and Cultural Heritage Management

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Author Biographies
Maria Chatzidakis

Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, University of West Attica (UNIWA),

Alexis Stefanis

Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, University of West Attica (UNIWA)

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