Eltono: Modern Street Artist
by Jason Lancaster
The term "street art" is used to describe a very wide variety of art forms, some of which are performed on the street, and some of which are actually ON the street. While Eltono is considered by the art community to be a modern street artist, most people in the US would probably describe Eltono as a "graffiti artist". But don't let the use of the word "graffiti" mislead you - Eltono is no vandal.
The name Eltono is Spanish for the phrase "the tone", and undoubtedly that name was chosen because the artist enjoys painting a representation of a tuning fork on the surfaces of the modern cityscape. His work, which is geometric in nature, can be found in cities all across Europe, South America, and Korea. The artist known as Eltono began by painting his trademark tuning forks in Madrid, Spain, starting in 1999.
When many people think of graffiti, they envision bright colors and big shapes that can be overpowering. Eltono's work is a statement against this type of graffiti -- his work is subtle and understated. Eltono does such a wonderful job of keeping his work simple that it's possible you could walk by it and never notice it.
Eltono's art is different partially because his technique is different. Rather than using spray paint for his work, which can be imprecise and typically force an artist to work in rounded shapes, Eltono uses plastic paint and masking tape to create his art. This technique allows him to create perfectly straight lines and geometric shapes, contributing to his unique style.
Eltono's work seems to draw one's eye to obvious discrepancies in the cityscape. For example, one can imagine a brick wall with windows that have been haphazardly boarded over by previously weathered plywood. Perhaps it's easier to imagine the side wall of a building, constructed of different types of brick, lumber, and iron. These are both common sights on a run-down block of any major city. For Eltono, these scenes are a blank canvas.
Eltono will decorate the scenes described with a simple collection of lines and shapes, drawing a sharp contrast to the typical "tagging" that one would expect to see when they think of graffiti. Perhaps his emphasis on subtlety has helped him gain the international recognition he enjoys.
Like all good art, Eltono's work generates more questions than it answers. Does Eltono work in geometric shapes to draw attention to the harsh city environment? Is their a political statement? Because Eltono's chosen medium is often associated with vandalism, will his work receive the attention it deserves? While only time will tell, Eltono's work certainly deserves your attention now.
Author: Jason Lancaster enjoys reviewing and discussing modern Latin art. He has a Latin Musica website emphasizing Tonos. To see more about Eltono, visit his website Eltono.com. This and other unique content 'street art' articles are available with free reprint rights.
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