Street Art in the center of Florence

Florence is known for being the cradle of the Renaissance. How does Street Art fit into this scenario? That’s one of the many questions we asked Lucia Montuschi, founder and director of Exclusive Connection Tours, who created a very special tour to discover the great contemporary expressive forms spread all around the center of the city. Check out this exclusive interview!

What can be considered Street Art?

The term Street Art embraces all that contemporary expressive form that we find in external and public places or in abandoned buildings, created by often unknown artists, performed at night and without requesting permits. Street art is a generous expression of creativity, it is in effect a new form of art. Graffiti, murals, recognizable images that are part of a new language and are linked to current situations, inspired by political struggle, freedom, love, and life.

Florence is known for being the cradle of the Renaissance. How does Street Art fit into this scenario?

Florence is the city that inspired a heated debate among street artists, among those who recognized the affirmation and proclamation of values ​​from which to start again in the Renaissance and some who have instead denied history by inveighing against established dictates and rules. Florence still proved to be a lively city, rich in themes of comparison, precisely because it was the cradle of the Renaissance.

What are the most “famous” street art artists whose works can we find on the streets of Florence?

The most famous artists that we can find walking down the street are certainly: CLET, BLUB, ACHE77, EXITENTER, CARLABRU, JAMESBOY, MILES, NIAN.

Where are the main Street Arts located in Florence?

After the installation of the CLET workshop in San Niccolò we can say that in the Oltrarno area you can follow many inseminations of street art, to get to Ponte Vecchio and Santo Spirito, but many of their galleries are also close to Santa Maria Novella and therefore we can propose itineraries on both sides of the Arno.

What can be considered street art?

Street art has established itself and exploded to the attention of the public thanks to the great success of Bansky. We do not feel like creating categories, we can say that for too long we have formally considered and have not observed the contents. The diatribe between those who consider them stains of walls and their works dull is still going on.

Exclusive Connection organizes a street art tour in Florence. How does it work?

Our itineraries are two, that last about 3 hours each. They can be organized on request for small groups and require specialized and local guides, also because the works change place and duration.

What do you think is the Street Art not to be missed in Florence?

The one you don’t know the location and therefore is doubly surprising.

Exclusive Connection: for information and reservations contact our Concierge.

Photo: Exclusive Connection Tour