Who’s Afraid of Street Art?
Also: Happy New Year! 😊
Ciao,
How are you?
One year ago, I was writing to you from Paris, the night before the very first BLocal street art trip. It was such a special moment—the start of something new, exploring a city together for the first time. That trip eventually led to the first BLocal book, As Seen on the Streets of Paris, and I’ll never forget how full of excitement (and nerves!) I was that night.
I remember writing and rewriting that letter, the first of Season 11 of this newsletter. (To be honest, that’s not unusual for me—this is already version three of this letter!)
Each month, there’s so much I want to share with you that it’s hard to choose just one thing. But since this is the first newsletter of the year, I couldn’t resist focusing on the classic topic: new year’s resolutions.
Last year, I invited you to share your goals with me, and I loved being your accountability buddy. Some of you sent your resolutions in private messages, and throughout the year, we checked in on each other. It was such a beautiful way to connect. Let’s do it again this year! If you have a goal for 2025, hit 'reply' to this email and let me know—I’d love to cheer you on.
For me, last year’s resolution was to get back to the origins of the BLocal project: being local in different cities and sharing those experiences with you. And I did it! Last summer, I spent two unforgettable months in London, researching for my London street art book, tracking down Banksy’s latest street art pieces as they appeared in real time, and soaking in every moment in my favorite city. Some of you joined me to explore, and those days were some of the best of the year.
In 2025, I really hope I can do it again, but in a different city. Berlin, maybe? Or perhaps somewhere entirely new—we’ll see.
Anyway, this is the resolution I need you to keep me accountable for: spending two months living somewhere else, immersing myself in a new city, and training my “what if” muscle. I want to imagine how life would feel if I lived there—what my days would look like, and what version of myself might emerge. Those two months in London were when I felt like my favorite self this year, and I’m determined to find that Giulia again.
Until next month,
Giulia
P.S. Don’t forget to share your goals with me—I can’t wait to root for you! Just hit ‘reply’ to this email 😉
✈️ Travel with me!
The book As Seen on the Streets of Paris was born from the first street art trip I organized for the readers of this newsletter. Throughout 2024, these trips offered a unique opportunity to explore the local street art scene together, meet artists, and document the creative energy of different European capitals.
I launched this series of trips to connect with readers like you on a more personal level. These adventures go beyond just sightseeing—they’re a chance to dive deep into the world of street art, join me as I meet artists and visit their studios, and capture the moments that inspire future projects.
More trips are already in the works for 2025, and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Next Street Art Trips Are:
🇮🇹 Naples: March 7 – 9
🇫🇷 Paris: April 25 – 29 (Including my book launch: “As Seen on the Streets of Paris”)
🇵🇹 Lisbon: May 8 – 12
Let me know as soon as possible (now, basically 😝) if you’re interested in joining! The sooner I know, the easier it is to organize everything—and you’ll benefit from lower costs for flights and accommodations. 😉
📚 Updates on my book As Seen on the Streets of Paris
In less than a month since its release, my Paris street art book has already been featured in several articles, with more coverage coming in January—including an interview on my favorite street art podcast. I’m truly grateful for all the support, and I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has already written about it—this encouragement means so much, and I’m not taking it for granted. Here’s where you can read more:
Urban Creativity Journal - Interview with Giulia ‘BLocal’ Riva about “As Seen on the Streets of Paris” 🥹 Super proud to be featured in such esteemed scientific publication!
SKY TG24 - Libri di Viaggio da Regalare a Natale
Another Scratch in the Wall - Esce il Libro “As Seen on the Streets of Paris,” intervista a Giulia Blocal 🥹 It’s also an honor to be interviewed by a very respected Italian blog dedicated to graffiti and street art.
Hip Paris - 30 Books to Transport You to France
I Support Street Art - As Seen on the Streets of Paris
Collateral - Tutti i Libri che ci sono Piaciuti nel 2024
As for where to find it, it’s still a bit tricky to get it stocked in bookshops, so for now, you can purchase it online. And don’t forget to send me a photo once you have your copy!
Who is Afraid of Street Art?
In last month’s editorial, I wrote that despite the commodification and commercialization of street art, not all is lost or corrupted. Just weeks later, BLU, one of the most significant voices in the street art world, took to the streets of Naples in an independent and spontaneous act. Through a stunning mural commemorating Ugo Russo -a young boy killed by a police officer a few years ago- BLU proved that “the heart of street art still beats strong.”
For this project, BLU created one of his signature animated mural videos, blending static imagery with the creative process of video animation. This unique interplay of art and technology delivers a profound narrative that transcends mere visual representation, offering layers of meaning and critique.
The mural demands truth and justice for Ugo Russo, but its message reaches far beyond this single tragedy. It reflects the plight of countless kids who spiral out of control in a society that offers them no place, remembering them only as a public order problem when it’s too late.
Yet, almost as soon as the mural appeared, Naples’ city officials announced its impending removal, citing administrative reasons—namely, the lack of permits. However, this justification thinly veils an act of outright censorship.
This case is far from isolated. It reflects a broader struggle in the world of street art over who has the right to express themselves in public spaces and how those spaces are controlled.
Locally, it ties back to a pattern of suppression. In 2023, another mural honoring Ugo Russo, painted by street artist Leticia Mandragola, was similarly erased despite being officially authorized.
The repeated censorship of these works raises critical questions: Who decides what stories are allowed to inhabit public spaces? And what does it mean when voices advocating for justice and reflection are systematically silenced?
Censoring the Streets: Why Street Art Challenges Power
Street art inherently defies traditional power structures by reclaiming public spaces as platforms for free expression. In urban landscapes dominated by advertising, artists transform these spaces into arenas for creativity and dissent. Through murals, stencils, and graffiti, marginalized voices critique societal injustices, question authority, and invite public dialogue.
In cities like São Paulo, Paris, and Berlin—just to name three cities widely celebrated for their urban art scenes—murals addressing contentious issues such as economic inequality, political corruption, immigration, or LGBTQ+ rights are frequently removed.
These actions expose the limits of the cities’ enthusiasm for street art: when public art is permitted only in ways that align with power structures, it risks being reduced to mere decoration. But that’s a broader discussion for another time.
Such censorship undermines the notion of public spaces as places for collective expression. Instead of fostering diverse conversations, they become curated arenas where only “acceptable” narratives are allowed to thrive, reinforcing existing social and political hierarchies.
In this light, street art remains a subversive act—not merely because it challenges the aesthetics of urban space, but because it questions who gets to decide what stories are told and which are erased.
This isn’t the first time we’ve discussed censorship and street art in this newsletter. For those interested, I’m sharing links to previous posts where we explored the censorship of a piece by Nemo’s in Florence and the removal of an artwork by Os Gemeos in Grottaglie, which was replaced with a propaganda mural ahead of the G7 summit.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your thoughts directly with me by replying to this email or with the BLocal community in the comments section on Substack.
New on the blog!
Top 50 French Street Artists You Need to Know
Celebrating the pioneers, innovators, and emerging talents shaping French street art today. Dive into their journeys and discover how their creativity resonates far beyond the walls of Paris.
Leake Street: Where Graffiti Redefines Urban Spaces
Leake Street Tunnel became one of my favorite places to revisit during my summer in London. Each visit felt like stepping into a completely new world. The walls—thick with years of accumulated graffiti—are constantly changing.
In this article, I discuss several aspects of Leake Street that make it a place for graffiti, not for street art.
New on YouTube!
👇 The most clicked link last month 👇
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I have the same goal: two months abroad! Do you have any places in mind? I'm thinking of Mexico City and Naples: maybe I'll join your March tour!
As someone who paints at Leake street pretty often I acknowledge it's importance in terms of giving artists a legal and spacious place to paint. Sometimes the tourists can be a little bit much when painting though and I've had intrusive encounters. Also I'd say later at night I wouldn't go painting there as a woman, there can be some unsavoury characters hanging around!