A city is a place for art. It helps artists showcase their talents through urban art, landscapes, architecture, urban planning which offers many opportunities for people living in cities. The geography of a landscape is closely linked to the artistic aura it produces. Chelsea Street in London and streetscapes of Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City are deeply associated with historic artistic symbols such as Bohemian culture and lifestyle. With their rich historic heritage, these streets are still renowned for the artistic talents that it has produced. Many art galleries, paintings, and sculptures were built-in New York, London and other cities around the world which are still building artistic places to increase their rich landscape and give meaning to the work produced in the cities.
Some examples of famous artistic streetscapes which are known for their architecture and have still left their indelible mark today are:
Champs-Élysées, Paris.
Champs-Elysees is no doubt one of the most famous and artistically renowned streets in the world. With many monuments, cafes, sculptures, and buildings it encapsulates art creatively. It creates a sense of place and brings people together in the heart of Paris. Its architecture is second to none and is appreciated by French people and international travelers. There are many parades and events which take place on the street because of its artistic nature. It is widely recognized to be one of the best avenues in the world.
Chelsea, London.
Chelsea was known as the artist hub of London until the 1900s. It was home to the Beatles and the Rolling stones. Although not much of the old artist boroughs survive, with its rich heritage, it is still one of the famous areas around London for artistic talent. It is well-known and attracts many globetrotter around the world. Now it is one of the most wealthy suburbs in London because of its artistic history. There is also a Chelsea Bridge from the South Bank in London. It is well-connected to the central location of London and is one of the most visited places in the world. Artists are thriving and London is known as a city for literature and art, still gives competition to the rest of the world.
Mission District, San Francisco
The Mission District is commonly known as the Mission is an artistic neighborhood in San Francisco. Surrounded by murals and street art, the mission district defines creativity in streetscapes. The district is also home to famous art galleries and buildings with drawings on them. It has been a popular location since the 1970s which has also led to gentrification in the recent years. It was colonised by the Spanish but till today, the artistic nature of the district has not lost its charm and draws many people to visit it on a daily basis.
Las Vegas Boulevard
The Las Vegas strip is famous for casinos and social events. It is a place which brings together people of all kinds and architecture which is second to none. The streetscape is one of the most colourful in the world with its famous lighting scenes and luxury hotels. But it is critiqued as targeting only the wealthy, without much concern for the middle class. On the strip you can often see luxury cars pass by and people enjoying drinks and other games. It is a very luxurious spot and a tourist attraction.
Paseo De La Reforma, Mexico City
This street in Mexico City is designed after famous European streetscapes such as Champs-Élysées in Paris. It houses many famous historic monuments and sculptures created by artists to celebrate the space. It also has gardens and public spaces for visitors to enjoy. It runs directly at the heart of Mexico City and is one of the most well-known places in the country. It is also home to many tall buildings and many artists across the world. There are many monuments and artistic work in the streetscape and is a must visit to tourists.
The above are just a few examples of the many ways in which streetscapes can encapsulate and highlight artistic talent. The more artistic a city is, the more recognition it has gained in the recent years. Street art and colourful buildings are becoming popular in contemporary streetscapes and art is being exposed to the everyday lives of people’s livelihoods. It is important to acknowledge such streetscapes for the urban planning of our cities and as cities compete with each other regularly, they can gain more creative ideas and influence more art in the city with such concepts.
