 Tagwhat/Lauren Walter |
2011 Denver Chalk Art Festival Remember decorating the sidewalk outside your childhood house with brightly colored chalks? Gripping the dusty sticks, you'd scrape out butterflies and trees, or perhaps more adventuresome figures like pirates. After a few days- or the next time your neighbor ran their sprinklers- the daydream scenes would be erased. Not everyone gives up using chalk when they grow up. In fact, "street painting" with chalks is an old art form still practiced today. The tradition began in the 16th century when madonnari, or professional chalk artists, would create depictions of the Madonna (the Virgin Mary) throughout Renaissance Italy. They traveled far and wide, making their living from coins tossed by passersby. The tradition persisted and the subject matter expanded from religious iconography to just about anything. Along the way, artists have also developed 3D and other illusionary techniques. Every year the Denver Chalk Art Festival brings the tradition to Larimer Square. The 2011 festival took place June 4 and 5. |
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