These 50 Images Capture The Rare Beauty Of Rio's Street Art Scene

cores lindas, cor de neon #kobra #rio #rj #portomaravilha #riostreetart #olympicgamesrio2016

A photo posted by Lianna Codina (@liannafc) on Aug 4, 2016 at 10:33am PDT

In Rio de Janeiro, street art is king.

Thanks to a decree signed by the Brazilian city’s mayor in 2012, all graffiti and street art created on designated city propertyis legal. (And street art created on private property is permitted with the consent of property owners.) That’s why panoramic shots of the2016 Olympic huboften include hints of painted walls or building-size portraits. There isa lotof outdoor artwork to see in Rio.

Across the city, street artists enjoy a kind of freedom many muralists around the world envy. One that benefits not only the creative vigilantes who travel with spray paint in tow, but the residents of a region in constant flux. In fact, for those living in Rio’s favelas, or slums, street art has helpedhighlight the economic disparity that plagues the city. It has helped beautifydecaying buildingsandrevitalize portions of the neighborhoodsthat tourists overlook. (Which is, frankly, more thanthe IOC has done so far.)

“Today, many [police] officers support graffiti initiatives for city beautification, and as a crime deterrent,” Lu Olivero, founder ofAerosol Carioca, wrotein a 2014 op-ed for The New York Times. “They understand that graffiti can be a career opportunity for youth in low-income neighborhoods. The growth of graffiti in Brazil, and its role in challenging the status quo, demonstrates the power of art, and its ability to create dialogue.”

For those in Brazil for the 2016 Olympics who want to tour a city known for its vibrant public art,the InstaWalkRio account on Instagramoffers visitors and city dwellers a map outlining the various street art spots across Rio.

But for those not able to watch the games in person who also want to experience the beauty of Rio’s murals and graffiti digitally, like they do the Olympic events, we’ve rounded up 50 of our favorite photos capturing the city’s captivating wall art.

FromJR’s massive portraits of athletestoKobra’s recent murals to the dozens of examples of hometown art, here are 50 reasons Rio’s street art scene is worth exploring:

#riostreetart #skatecat #cat #streetart

A photo posted by gus gutierrez (@iam1voice) on Aug 8, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

Lapa by night. #riostreetart 🇧🇷

A photo posted by domhoward77 (@domhoward77) on Oct 21, 2015 at 10:37pm PDT

🎨 #riostreetart #Rio2016

A photo posted by Tânia Lisboa (@tani_tani) on Aug 5, 2016 at 1:16pm PDT

My favourite so far #riostreetart #santateresa

A photo posted by 👸(B)eryl 💋 (@noirnoor) on May 9, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

Curious who lives in 317. #rio #riodejaneiro #riostreetart #streetart

A photo posted by Greg Ho (@grg.ho) on Feb 16, 2016 at 4:10pm PST

#Rio #RioMyLove #RioStreetArt #StreetArt

A photo posted by Elena (@freelancer_ru) on Mar 11, 2015 at 7:23am PDT

Rio Cidade do Amor e da Arte

A photo posted by Juliana Chermont (@juliana.chermont) on Feb 6, 2015 at 6:06am PST

#milinbrasil #miriodejaneiro #riostreetart

A photo posted by Anton Milin (@anotomilin) on Feb 3, 2015 at 1:05pm PST

#riodejaneiro #brasil #streetart #riostreetart #brasilstreetart

A photo posted by James de Graaf (@james.dg) on Jan 2, 2015 at 5:57pm PST

that tree is wired yo #riostreetart #travelphotography #openyoureyes #streetart

A photo posted by melissa troup (@roamingmellon) on Nov 9, 2014 at 5:06pm PST

#riostreetart #streetart #urbanart #brazil

A photo posted by Amir (@oxymoron310) on Jul 8, 2014 at 5:13pm PDT

#marceloment #riostreetart #rioolympics #graffiti

A photo posted by gus gutierrez (@iam1voice) on Aug 7, 2016 at 9:59am PDT

Rio Street Art #summer2016 #summer #getaway #icantbelieveimattheolympics #streetart #art #riostreetart #grafittiart

A photo posted by Matt Remington (@mattremington) on Aug 5, 2016 at 8:57am PDT

🔮✨ #streetartrio #rio2016

A photo posted by Luiza (@luizaborgesribeiro) on Aug 5, 2016 at 8:27am PDT

#riostreetart #streetart #riodejaneiro #brazil #southamerica

A photo posted by Jane (@janed1701) on May 22, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT

#graffiti #grafite #streetart #spraypaint #artwork #rafamon #mural #arteurbana #streetart #riostreetart

A photo posted by Marilia Marx (@marxmarilia) on May 12, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

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