Perhaps there is a difference, to a more informed mind, but the idiosyncrasies and sometimes pretentious categorizations that some feel compelled to instill, of trying to classify something like a mural or a commision or a rainbow-kist trolley train or a plastered tree is something that I don't try to get into much; but as I see it, unless a good majority of these street artists are being paid and compensated for their intricate works, then their artforms can technically be classified as "graffiti", regardless of whether or not traditional spray paint, or even paint at all, is used in the creations.
I'm not sure what message, if at all, I'm trying to convey here, sorry, though; I just like to say my peace about lists and fluidity (sometimes to a super-umpteenth degree, as I imagine it sounds). I do know that "street art" and "graffiti" nowadays, are quite synonymous, but with every like word and their meanings, there are contexts to which they are more apt than the others.
So, back to why I originally clicked into here: another fine example of "literal" street art to display, this time found on idle street corners in one of the world's centers for any/everything, NYC.
For her street art project “
Sidewalk Psychiatry,” artist/designer Candy Chang went around NYC stenciling critical questions on sidewalks to assist pedestrians in their daily self-evaluations.
Candy explains:
Pedestrians in the city often find themselves walking in deep thought. A routine trip can prompt reflections on everything from future goals to last night’s dinner conversation. As people sacrifice personal time for hectic schedules, these casual occasions for reflection become all the more important.
Sidewalk Psychiatry encourages self-evaluation in transit by posing critical questions on the pavements of New York City. Now your daily ponderings and emotional problems can be prodded and treated on the go - and, best of all, it’s free of charge!
[
accidental.]