Contemporary muralism as a means of socio-cultural transmission: An approach to urban art in A Coruña from an ethnographic turn

Abstract

In a world dominated by the processes of globalization, art is essential to recognize the uniqueness of communities, and one of the most powerful and significant artistic expressions is muralism, or wall art, understood as any artistic intervention carried out on architectural space, typically on walls, and including various techniques and materials, from traditional tempera, oil, and fresco paintings to more contemporary murals created with spray or acrylic paint. Now, muralism as an urban art form does not solely aim to provide the intervened space with aesthetic value, but due to its communicative power, it becomes an important visual medium for sociocultural transmission. This renewed interest in contemporary art for the singular, the particular, has led to the emergence of the so-called ethnographic turn, which should be integrated into the framework of visual anthropology. It is here, precisely, where the symbolic-cultural complex acts by highlighting particularities and consolidating differences: history and mythology, language, folklore, or ways of life are some of the iconographic references that adorn the walls of many Galician towns. Therefore, the general objective of the research is to analyze muralism as a means of knowledge and consolidation of local identity and memory. Moreover, due to its potential to energize, muralism presents itself as an ideal tool for working on the acquisition of skills related to creativity, perception and aesthetics, or critical analysis, thus contributing to the development of comprehensive and quality education.