Street art in Valparaiso, the “Graffiti Capital of South America”, Chile

*WS 125: street art in Valparaiso, the “Graffiti Capital of South America”, Chile*

Valparaiso is a seaport and major city in Chile, located 120 km north-west of Santiago, the capital. For tourists it is famous for 2 things, classic funicular railway to the low hills, and street art or graffiti. A big part of the old city consists of low hills where railcars have been in operation since 1883. The whole area is a labyrinth of sloping streets and cobblestones alleys. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We were here in 2019, roaming around the hills for several hours and feasting our eyes at the murals found at every wall and corner of the streets. The old city has self-claimed to be the "graffiti capital of South America". 

In 1973 Chile came under the military rule of General Pinochet. Every form of self-expression was subpressed. An underground network of artists started painting powerful messages on the walls of the back lanes. When the country returned to democracy in 1990, the local government decided to make street art legal and it blossomed. Today it is part of the city’s fibre. 

It is not a nuisance at all. In fact hotels, restaurants and shops compete to have murals painted on their walls. They attract business. And artists compete to produce the best.

The 1st photo shows a railcar and the line, one of about 15 lines still in use.  The 2nd is a mural more about politics. The next 2 are from famous artists. The 3rd is the work of a Spanish artist Cuellimangui who has a liking for sea worms. The 4th is a typical expression of a couple painted by a husband-n-wife team collectively known as Un Kolor Distinto. The simple one in the 5th photo is entertaining. Others are just samples of what we have seen.