Andrea Baldini on Street Art's Political and Philosophical Dimensions

In an interview with Davide Dal Sasso, philosopher Andrea Baldini argues that street art is a form of public art that challenges traditional aesthetic hierarchies and is intrinsically political. Baldini, who studied under Joseph Margolis, rejects Kantian separations of art from human practices. He contends that street art's value lies not in conventional artistic criteria but in its engagement with public space, which is often dominated by commercial advertising. Baldini discusses the role of illegality, stating it is neither necessary nor sufficient for street art but is a salient property that enhances its subversiveness. He cites examples like legal walls (Halls of Fame) and collaborations such as Under Art Construction in Frankfurt. Baldini draws on Jacques Rancière's concept of the 'partition of the sensible' to frame street art as a political act that negotiates inclusion and exclusion in public space. He distinguishes street art from mere graffiti or para-advertising, emphasizing its capacity to create new orders of visibility and transform urban environments. Baldini's book 'A Philosophy Guide to Street Art and the Law' (Brill, 2018) explores these themes. The interview was published on Artribune in August 2019.