Eltono: Modern Street Artist

The term "street art" is used to describe a very wide variety of art forms, some of which are performed on the street, and some of which are actually ON the street. While Eltono is considered by the art community to be a modern street artist, most people in the US would probably describe Eltono as a "graffiti artist". But don't let the use of the word "graffiti" mislead you - Eltono is no vandal.

Eltono, Spanish for "the tone", is an artist who is known for painting a uniquely geometric and abstract version of a tuning fork as graffiti. Eltono, beginning in Madrid in 1999, has spread his work all over Europe, South America, and Korea painting buildings, walls, rail sides, and any other surface you can find in a modern city.

Unlike most graffiti artists, Eltono's art is subtle and understated. In fact, if his work isn't pointed out to you, it's likely you'll miss it. Eltono does this on purpose -- his art is a statement against the strident and overly-colorful street art that is commonly associated with the word "graffiti" here in the United States.

Eltono's work is created using a technique that is completely different than that of his contemporaries. While many street artists use spray paint to create rounded shapes and art without straight lines or corners, Eltono uses a combination of plastic paint and masking tape to create uniquely geometric shapes and straight lines.

Eltono's art can be found on buildings and walls that exemplify difference. For example, a brick wall with boarded up windows, with each board being a different grained wood, is a canvas for Eltono. Or perhaps a building that is haphazardly composed of steel, brick, and lumber would be marked. These scenes are his canvas.

When Eltono finds a surface he likes, he will create a collection of geometric shapes and straight lines that will highlight the surface's natural differences while at the same time contrasting the typical graffiti one would expect to find. His emphasis on subtlety has undoubtedly made his art easier to recognize, and it may be part of the reason he is known the world over.

Good art is always thought-provoking, and Eltono's work is no exception. For instance, is his use of geometric shapes a comment on the banality of modern urban architecture? Is their a political statement involved with his work? Perhaps most importantly for the artist, will his chosen media keep him from achieving notoriety because it is often associated with vandalism? Whatever the case, only time will tell. But one thing is for certain -- Eltono's work is definitely interesting.

By: Jason Lancaster.

Author: Jason Lancaster is a student of art and enjoys discussing modern Latin art. Jason has a Latin Musica website emphasizing Tonos. To learn more about Eltono, visit his website Eltono.com.
Click here to get your own unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submissions Service

Article Directory: http://www.articlewisdom.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated