Without a doubt one of the things the Vila Madalena neighborhood is known for is its street art, specifically the Beco do Batman. But the Vila, as residents like to call the neighborhood, also has street art in most of its tree-shaded streets. Another alleyway well worth exploring is the Beco do Aprendiz.
Vila Madalena Graffiti Streets | © Derek Mead/Flickr
This narrow alleyway is covered with street art. The walls of the houses are composed of a mixture between ink and and plants that are born in the crevices of the walls. In this alley, every graffiti artist owns the wall where he paints – that is, after the owner’s permission, the only person who can paint there is the author of the original drawing. The entrance is at Rua Harmonia with the alleyway winding itself to end at Rua Medeiros de Albuquerque.
Beco do Batman, R. Gonçalo Afonso, Vila Madalena, São Paulo, Brazil
Beco do Batman | © Florent Detroy/Flickr
Although today Vila Madalena is where most people go to appreciate street art, it is impossible to talk about graffiti in São Paulo and not mention the Cambuci neighborhood. It was here that the famous artists Otávio and Gustavo Pandolfo, known as OsGemeos got their start and where you can still see many of their earlier works. Work your way down Rua Lavapés, starting at the corner with Rua Justo Azambuja and see all the beautiful graffiti on walls, doors and even trashcans.
Cambuci Graffiti OsGemeos | © Arte For do Museu/Wikimedia CC
With street art dominating the Vila Madalena neighborhood, artists started to set their eyes on neighboring Pinheiros, and today there is a great selection of street art to see in that neighborhood also. The Benedito Calixto square – which on Saturdays are filled with artisans selling antiques and handicraft – during the week reveals beautiful designs made by very talented graffiti artists.
Benedito Calixto, Praça Benedito Calixto, Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil
Benedito Calixto | © Ricardo Soares/Flickr
Not only sushi and Japanese trinkets are found in the Liberdade neighborhood. Around the streets Rua Galvão Bueno and Rua Glória it is possible to find several works of art, scattered between walls and doors of commercial establishments. Not surprisingly, it is common to see designs with hints of manga (Japanese comics) characters.
Anime graffiti Liberdade | © Marco Gomes/Flickr
