What do monochromatic walls have that graffitied walls do not? A sense of coherence, I guess, but that is not what civilization is about. Cities are made up of thousands of voices, the majority of which are never heard. The fact that Bogotá allows and even encourages the illustration of their public spaces provides a platform for the countless voices that might otherwise never rise above the babble. I appreciate this, and wish the United States would catch on.  Using art to speak is not a crime. I’d rather see this than advertisements on buildings in my city any day.

Hey, if you’re ever in Bogotá, go on this excellent tour of some of the city’s best graffiti, led by a resident artist.