Many call all art beautiful, but it depends on who you ask. Maybe it’s graffiti, a mural, or sculpture—whatever the case, Reno, specifically Midtown, is filled with hundreds of murals and I wanted to see if we truly are an “Art Town.”
Most people either love the art murals or don’t even notice them. Sometimes I question what I am looking at.
One that did that for me was the loud “TBK Homies” mural that is filled with cartoon-like characters. It’s a bit chaotic and overwhelming; I didn’t know where to look. There is a skeleton holding a head and scythe, an alien, and many more odd figures. It was like each character was trying to be the focus.
Some may call it expressive or meaningful, but for me it felt like too much to take in. I think real art should express meaning or emotion, something people can relate to. This just felt like it was trying to grab people’s attention.
It seems like these murals convey the good and bad sides of Reno’s art scene. The mural is well-done and colorful, which shows that expression and creativity are important to the community. I can appreciate that it is different than other pieces in Reno and that it stands out. But most of the art here feels a little performative, with no real meaning…