A Geometric Twist On Graffiti: Eltono

By Jason Lancaster | June 17, 2007

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 art can be found on buildings and walls that exemplify difference. For example, a brick wall with boarded up windows, with each board being a different grained wood, is a canvas for Eltono. Or perhaps a building that is haphazardly composed of steel, brick, and lumber would be marked. These scenes are his canvas.

When Eltono finds a surface he likes, he will create a collection of geometric shapes and straight lines that will highlight the surface’s natural differences while at the same time contrasting the typical graffiti one would expect to find. His emphasis on subtlety has undoubtedly made his art easier to recognize, and it may be part of the reason he is known the world over.

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

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