Who's afraid of grapixo? Aesthetics, street art and the borders with the expanded field

Abstract

The article presents a case study exploring urban art interventions prevalent in Greater Recife. It delves into a specific style known as "Grapixo," which emerged from the fusion of Pixação and Graffiti. While Graffiti involves painting street walls with images, Pixação revolves around the stylized writing of the artist's name and symbol using spray or rollers. In contrast, "Grapixo" focuses on the artist painting their own name in vibrant, stylized letters, often incorporating colorful backgrounds and intricate compositions. This visual approach, with its signature placed horizontally at the bottom amidst spiraling colors, encourages passersby to engage with the artwork on a deeper level. Rather than mere sleight of hand, this blend of colors and names within the realm of street art prompts viewers to scrutinize the underlying message, crafted by skilled hands in a cultural milieu. The study draws upon sociological research methods, employing social cartography of urban spaces and non-participant observation to construct narratives and analytical insights into these artistic expressions.