Wrinkles of the City is a beautiful street art series that pays respect to the elderly residents of Istanbul. The large-scale portraits of these individuals grace the roofs and walls of 15 different buildings in the Turkish city. Although many people might believe it simply represents a celebration of life lived, there is more to the series than first meets the eye.
Created by French Artist JR, the Wrinkles of the City series touches on the changes of the city as much as the people. He says, "Wrinkles of the City project paints a picture of the twentieth century by exploring the lives of those who witnessed their cities become scarred by the course of history, economic growth and socio-cultural changes. Its goal was for the elderly's personal stories to symbolically confront the walls of their city, and for the city and its inhabitants to confront their wrinkles and the stories of their elderly."
Elder-Respecting Street Art
Wrinkles of the City by JR Reflects on City Changes Over Time
Trend Themes
1. Respectful Street Art - There is an opportunity for more street art series that celebrate and pay respect to marginalized communities or underrepresented groups.
2. Socially Conscious Art - Artists who use their art as a tool for social commentary and addressing social issues could see an increase in demand.
3. Intergenerational Community Programs - There is an opportunity to create community programs that bring together younger and older generations to share stories and learn from each other, inspired by the Wrinkles of the City project.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry has an opportunity to promote socially conscious art and generate demand for artists who use their art as a tool for social commentary.
2. Community Development - There is an opportunity for community development organizations to create intergenerational community programs inspired by the Wrinkles of the City project.
3. Tourism - Cities could leverage street art projects to attract tourists who are interested in socially-conscious and respectful art, potentially leading to increased revenue in the tourism industry.