We started the day with a walking tour of downtown Melbourne that Ned had found in his research for this trip. From Federation Square, very near our hotel, our first stop was Hoosier Lane, acclaimed for graffiti street art. Graffiti is illegal throughout Australia, including Melbourne. However, the City of Melbourne distinguishes graffiti from street art. Graffiti is marking another person's property without permission. Street art is artistic work done with the permission of the person who owns the wall and with the permission of the local council. Consequently, Melbourne is known for its "legal" street art, acknowledging that public spaces provide a gallery and stage for artistic expression.
"Do Art Not Tags" is a graffiti education program in Melbourne whereby actors visit classrooms and provide information about the differences between graffiti and street art and how different choices can make a positive (or negative) difference in the life of both the "artist" and the community.
More Melbourne Freebies in the next post!
Love the NYDJ Shirt!!
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