BANKSY'Keep your coins, I want change'

I have chosen Banksy's street art 'Keep your coins, I want change' as it symbolises the harsh treatment of poor people in society, specially homeless that are generally mistreated. I really like Banksy as a political activist and the way he uses crude images that are combined with slogans.

As a matter of fact, this piece evokes the weakness of nowadays society and how people can’t help but care about materialistic things. Personally, I reckon that we all should appreciate criticism of capitalism in order to enhance today's lifepatterns. I definitely find this piece very thought-provoking, unconventional and, ultimately, an iconic piece of street art.

On the other hand, it is worth noting his technique, he probably uses stencil graffiti to paint his pieces faster in public places and, in this manner, he has managed to create his own style which people can easily recognise.

Last but not least, its symbology is pretty important, specially the use of language. The sentence is not "I want to change" which would mean that the homeless wants to become a different person but "I want change" which means that the homeless wants changes to happen around, like changing society.

In my humble opinion, under no circumstances should we accept having people begging on the streets for Christmas time and beyond.

Omar Palacios

Otto Lucero - IDIDI

I have chosen an unknown and underground artist: Otto Lucero. This graffiti represents a dear friend who passed away at a very young age. It represents who she was in all her glory.

Ididi is a nickname/alias that Idoia earned. The origin of this alias is because she was short and full of love and it was a sweet way to call her. Everyone who knew this pretty girl knows that she was a little can filled with good energy, in fact there are two phrases written on the wall next to the graffiti where it says:

“Everything that does not vibrate the same as you will disappear from your life. Don't feel bad about evolving. You have not lost anything, you have gained yourself.”

“We will always remember your smile. Your body is gone but your love will always remain in our hearts. We will miss you. We love you.”

You can visit this graffiti for free because it is painted on a wall of “El Parc del Litoral” in Sant Pol de Mar, in front of the sea. It also has tiger and leopard hair pattern painted around the main painting because it symbolizes Idoia’s soul. The rose that is on her right ear reminds us of her passion for the flowers and how she liked to always carry one of these. The other outfits such as the headband, the scarf, the earrings and the piercing define her style 100%.

In my opinion it is the best way to remember her. I miss her so badly.

Monet - Cliff Walk at Pourville

I have chosen this artwork by Claude Monet because it is one of my favorite paintings. The colors and style of this painting caught my attention the first time I saw it. Somehow, this painting transports me to spring, it makes me feel that I am in that place.

Monet was the key figure of the Impressionist movement. In fact, it was a painting of his that gave the movement its name. This movement is characterized by its persistent experimentation with lighting. I think that this style is precisely what makes this painting different, nothing special is happening in the image but for some reason you can't stop looking at it.

Monet's wife, Camille, had died three years earlier and the artist had had enough of the city. That is why he decided to leave everything in February 1882 and travel to Normandy to rest a bit and get as far away from "civilization" as possible. Pourville was a small Norman fishing village. There was hardly anything reminiscent of the urban. Monet immediately fell in love with the site and its surroundings, which inspired him to create this work of art.

Paula Murio