A Geometric Twist On Graffiti: Eltono

The word "graffiti" is often associated with vandalism. However, for modern street artist Eltono, graffiti is just another word for art. That's because Eltono's work can be found painted onto buildings and walls, in the same places one would expect to find graffiti. But don't be fooled -- Eltono's work is more than just graffiti -- it's modern art.

Eltono, Spanish for "the tone", is an artist who is known for painting a uniquely geometric and abstract version of a tuning fork as graffiti. Eltono, beginning in Madrid in 1999, has spread his work all over Europe, South America, and Korea painting buildings, walls, rail sides, and any other surface you can find in a modern city.

Unlike most graffiti artists, Eltono's art is subtle and understated. In fact, if his work isn't pointed out to you, it's likely you'll miss it. Eltono does this on purpose -- his art is a statement against the strident and overly-colorful street art that is commonly associated with the word "graffiti" here in the United States.

Eltono's work is created using a technique that is completely different than that of his contemporaries. While many street artists use spray paint to create rounded shapes and art without straight lines or corners, Eltono uses a combination of plastic paint and masking tape to create uniquely geometric shapes and straight lines.

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.

Good art is always thought-provoking, and Eltono's work is no exception. For instance, is his use of geometric shapes a comment on the banality of modern urban architecture? Is their a political statement involved with his work? Perhaps most importantly for the artist, will his chosen media keep him from achieving notoriety because it is often associated with vandalism? Whatever the case, only time will tell. But one thing is for certain -- Eltono's work is definitely interesting.

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Author Jason Lancaster is a student of art and enjoys discussing modern Latin art. He has a Latin Musica website emphasizing Tonos. To learn more about Eltono, visit his website Eltono.com.
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