I have never really understood art.  For some, paint on a canvas speaks to them like another human being.  For me, I hear nothing but silence, especially when we are talking about the Jackson Pollack - a three year old could have done that - type of art.  However, through learning about the culture of hip hop, I have gained an appreciation for street art.  Graffiti represents a form of public expression and political dialogue, even though many may consider it vandalism.  We like to think of youth with spray cans roaming the streets at night as the quintessential delinquents with little respect for authority and no future.  But the type of critique that can be created with spray paint, in many ways, out shines many doctoral theses because graffiti is accessible and public - two characteristics that the academy has had difficulty embracing.  Additionally, it represents an appropriation of public space in a time when private property seems to trumps all else.  As Cameron Russell explains in a piece for ARTS blog, the growth and development of graffiti in New York City during the 1970’s opened up a space “to confront and match the power of the traditional political system, to rebel against public invisibility.”

The world of street art and sport seem to collide mostly around mega-events such as the World Cup and Olympics.  I had never noticed it before this year’s World Cup in Brazil, but to see what was created in Brazil was fascinating and inspiring.  Despite all of the academic literature that has disproven the economic and social benefits of mega-events, countries (except Norway) keep bidding on them and the IOC and FIFA continue to make billions of dollars on the backs of civilians.  While a protest demonstrates to the world, corporations, and the government that the people are displeased, street art illustrates the depth of their understanding and critique.  Also, it is difficult for a work of art to turn violent.  Sure, there are some that don’t put a lot of effort into their critique, as demonstrated by the picture below from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics:

But while some stop after their thesis statement, others weave us a comprehensive essay.  Below, I have included, what I think to be, some intriguing pieces and I leave you to interpret them however you see fit.
Free Tibet.  From the Beijing Olympics.

London Olympics. Artist: Mau MauLondon Olympics.London Olympics. Arist: BanksyLondon Olympics. Artist: BanksyBrazil World Cup.Brazil World CupBrazil World Cup.Brazil World Cup.

To what degree do these works of art create any sustainable social change? I am not sure, but I would guess that many researchers and activists would be quite proud to have their work reach as many people, and start as many conversations, as these graffiti artists are able to do.

For more examples of mega-event street art:
Don’t Panic Online - Top ten Olympic street art pieces
Urban Times - 13 powerful images of street art that explain why Brazilians are boycotting the World Cup.
Huffington Post - Street artist Banksy’s Olympic graffiti unveiled