Archives for September 2014

Foto of the Week: Judge Griesa Graffiti

Political graffiti near the Argentine Congress depicts a mean-looking Thomas P. Griesa surrounded by vultures. The 83 year-old U.S. judge has become a popular enemy in Argentina, where the government has accused him of colluding with the so-called vulture funds to bring the country to default.

President Kirchner posted on her website this week that Griesa is leading a “permanent speculative attack'” against Argentina. The comments were in response to a decision by American Airlines to restrict advanced ticket purchases in Argentina to 90-days in an effort to protect themselves from the plunging peso. The government also threatened to adopt ‘sever measures’ against interim U.S. ambassador Kevin Sullivan after he said, “it is important that Argentina get out of default” in an interview with national newspaper, Clarín. The president later called the comment, ‘very inappropriate’ on her webpage.

Leftist political graffiti on current issues is only a small part of the Buenos Aires graffiti scene. Check out our graffiti tour to learn about all types of street art in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires Graffiti Tour

The abundance of street art in Buenos Aires makes the city itself is an ever-evolving art gallery. Wander Argentina has partnered to offer a Buenos Aires Graffiti Tour showcasing some of South America’s best urban art.

This fascinating street art treasure hunt winds visitors through out-of-the-way neighborhoods such as Villa Urquiza and Coghlan to see more than 50 artists’ work, including the city’s largest murals.

What you see

Discover anomalies such as a robot battle on an otherwise quiet corner house; marvel at the four-story mural of a gaucho (cowboy) Napoleon crossing the Alps, and ponder Italian artist, Blu’s building-wide mural of a reclining industrialized baby.

Visitors also see the work of Cof, a street artist who works for Disney and Cartoon Network and paints his own colorful cartoon characters on walls and buildings. The tour also passes by Martín Ron’s pièce de résistance and the city’s largest mural, Tale of the Parrots.

Mecca of Street Art

Led by a bilingual insider to the BA graffiti scene, this budget walking tour is a chance to get great photos and understand the context in which street art thrives in Buenos Aires.

Hear about the international collaborations and local rivalries, discover the social factors that inspire the art, and return home having taken the ultimate pilgrimage in the mecca of South American street art.

Buenos Aires Walking Graffiti Tour

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Starts: 2:40 p.m.
Ends: 5:30 p.m.
Duration: 2.45 Hours

Where to meet: The meet-up point is in the Colegiales neighborhood, in an area accessible by bus, subte and train. Since safety is a priority, participants are given the exact location once they book the tour.

Where it ends: At an art bar in Palermo, close to public transportation. where you can have a beverage or snack and continue to chat with your artist guide and other participants.

Additional tour information:
• Although not strenuous, this is a walking tour, wear comfortable shoes
• Transport costs are provided, but there is no pick-up and drop-off
• Suitable for families
• Please book at least 12 hour in advance
• Get some friends to join you! If there are four or more in your group you receive a discount!

Various private and group tours are also available. To arrange one, get in touch via our contact form below.There is also a minibus tour that covers the south side of the city. See our other tours here.

Foto of the Week — Opening Exposition at the City Museum

An actor dressed as a tailor at the opening of the Buenos Aires City Museum’s new exhibit featuring traditional garb of Buenos Aires many cultural communities. The exhibit rings in a month of cultural celebrations in honor of Immigrants Day on September 4th.

On Saturday Buenos Aires yearly Community Festival, featuring international food, song and dance will take place in Palermo.