London Buses, London

Behind the scene

London is a city of contrasts, where ancient history and modern culture coexist in a vibrant and diverse urban landscape. One of the most iconic symbols of London is the red double-decker bus, which has been transporting passengers through the streets of the capital since the 19th century. But what if the bus itself became a canvas for artistic expression, inspired by the graffiti movement that has transformed many walls and buildings in the city?

That is the idea behind the stunning photograph by Manuel Busetto, titled London Buses. The photo captures a scene of two buses passing by each other on a busy street, but with a twist: the buses are blurred and distorted, creating a dynamic and colorful effect that resembles a graffiti painting. The photo is a result of a technique called artistic motion blur, which involves moving the camera while taking a long exposure shot. This technique allows the photographer to create a sense of movement and energy, as well as to experiment with different shapes and colors.

The photo is not only a tribute to the bus as a symbol of London, but also to the graffiti art that has emerged in the city since the 1970s. Graffiti is a form of visual communication that involves writing or drawing on public surfaces, often without permission and within public view. Graffiti artists use spray paint, stencils, stickers, and other tools to create their works, which can range from simple tags to elaborate murals. Graffiti can be seen as a form of rebellion, protest, or expression, as well as a way of beautifying or transforming the urban environment.

One of the most famous and influential graffiti artists in the world is Banksy, who is based in London and whose identity remains unknown. Banksy is known for his satirical and subversive street art, which often comments on political and social issues, such as war, consumerism, and human rights. Banksy’s works are often witty and humorous, but also provocative and controversial. Some of his most famous works include Girl With a Balloon, which depicts a girl reaching out for a red heart-shaped balloon; Kissing Coppers, which shows two male police officers kissing; and The Son of a Migrant from Syria, which portrays Steve Jobs as a refugee.

Other notable spray graffiti artists in London include Blu, an Italian artist who creates massive murals with house paint, often with a political or social message; and Shepard Fairey, an American artist who is famous for his Obey Giant campaign, which features the face of wrestler Andre the Giant, and his Hope poster, which supported Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Some of them have been influenced by the impressionist movement, which was a 19th century art movement that focused on capturing the effects of light and color on the natural world. Impressionist artists used short and broken brush strokes, pure and unmixed colors, and a loose and spontaneous style to create their paintings. Blu and Fairey have adopted some of these elements in their graffiti, such as using bright and contrasting colors, creating a sense of movement and fluidity, and expressing their personal impressions of the world.

London Buses is a photo that celebrates the artistic and cultural diversity of London, as well as the dynamism and creativity of its people. The photo invites the viewer to look at the city from a different perspective, and to appreciate the beauty and meaning that can be found in everyday objects and scenes. The photo also challenges the viewer to question the boundaries between art and reality, and between legality and illegality. As a work of art criticism, the photo is a brilliant example of how photography can be used as a medium to explore and express ideas, emotions, and values. The photo is a unique and original piece of art that deserves to be admired and appreciated by anyone who loves London, graffiti, or impressionism.

DETAILS

• Limited Edition Print of 10

  Signed and numbered by hand. Accompanied with a certificate of authenticity.

• Printed with: Hahnemühle Photo Rag®  (308gr - matte - 100% cotton)

  is one of the world’s most popular papers and the valued all-rounder for high-quality FineArt inkjet printing. The white cotton artist’s paper, with its characteristic, wonderfully soft feel, boasts a lightly defined felt structure, lending each artwork a three-dimensional appearance and impressive pictorial depth. Combined with the matt premium inkjet coating, this paper produces outstanding prints that feature brilliant colours, deep blacks, striking contrasts and perfect reproduction of detail. This acid- and lignin-free classic meets the most exacting requirements for age resistance and is specially designed for FineArt applications. ISO 9706 compliance guarantees its technical specifications with museum quality and maximum resistance to aging.

• 10-color EPSON UltraChrome™ HDR pigment print

  This system offers a wider color range for maximum color performance on fine art papers. The inks are specifically formulated for exceptional quality prints, which always offer the same yield in extremely varied lighting conditions.

• FREE white border choice

  Print is always produced with 1 or 5 cm / 0.4 or 2 inches of white border.

  Final print size is always 1 or 5 cm / 0.4 or 2 inches larger on each side.

• Unframed

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