Street Art Snapshots

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You may not know Shephard Fairey's name, but you have probably seen his artwork. The iconic Barack Obama "HOPE" poster now hanging at the Smithsonian is the brainchild of this "street artist" turned graphic designer. And his enormous success raises the question: Can street art be fine art?

The line between "street art" and "graffiti" is a thin one, if it exists at all. In the past few years there has been a rise in alternatives to the traditional spray-paint method such as clean graffiti and guerrilla knitting. Blurring that fine line still further are street artists such as London-based Banksy. His identity is unknown, but his art is recognizable. This anonymous artist often turns existing graffiti into public art, provoking passers-by to interact with his work.

The enduring question of what constitutes as art — or what distinguishes street art from vandalism — will find a unique response in every person. Here is a look at how everyday photographers interact with Banksy's street art. All images are courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.