As we’re always talking about street art and Barcelona has been for years one of the Meccas of graffiti art, we decided to have a chat with Anthon Maxus Christophersen, one of the driving forces in Barcelona’s street art.

Mila Doré: When did the Barcelona street art scene start and how has its evolution been? It’s said that it’s not what it used to be…

Not sure when it started. I guess Gaudí was the first really known street artist in Barcelona. Transforming boring buildings with playful adventures organic decorations. Transforming the public space into an art gallery. Bringing more joy to the people of the city.

MD: What do you think street art has contributed to the city?

For me, street art is like buying/eating at a local family owned deli, run by people who work there out of passion, and take great pleasure in serving you. A place you leave having received something original made out of passion and respect for the surroundings, compared to a McDonalds franchise… This is what makes me feel at home in Barcelona, when I walk on the small streets, away from the buildings way, often covered by big commercial banners of a Photoshop reality, all put there to make me want to use my money or think in a certain way. That’s when the street art starts to show up. From tags with the simple messages like “La belleza es tu cabeza” (“Beauty is inside your head”) to “Más Amore” (“More Love”) or beautiful abstract or figural art works. All these things turn the streets into a walkthrough gallery but, most important, brings up the inner happiness, knowing that I’m not alone and that there is love, talent and passion out there. It ignites my inner lust for life. I’m loving it.

MD: What is different from Barcelona’s scene, compared to others?

More colours and more love, less spray, more brushes… But due to cheap international flights and internet networks, you tend to see more and more artist appearing in more than one European city. So what really make Barcelona stand out is probably the high standard of the artwork.

MD: Tell me 5 spots in Barcelona where we could go and normally see good street art?

Raval, Barrio Gótico, El Borne, The 3 Chimneys in Poble Sec… and Poble nou; but Barcelona in general.

MD: If you had a sit down with Barcelona’s mayor, what would you tell him?

“Please help all the trafficked African prostitutes that every night after the dark float Rambla Catalunya –It’s sad, obvious and completely wrong–, instead of using resources on secret police looking after street artists. Do something usefully with the taxpayer’s money…”

MD: What do you think about street art going into galleries?

If an artist is able to put the same passion onto a canvas as on the street, and give the public the chance to buy it and put it in their homes for friends and family to enjoy, then I’m all for it. No doubt. That’s the great thing about art: you can’t fake it, it won’t work.

MD: How do you think the digital camera has affected the street art movement, if at all?

The best example is the animated videoclip “Muto” by Blu.

Here the street art becomes alive. As well as the tons of Flickr-type sites where artist and fans share pictures… no doubt that it inspires. So it has affected it in a great way.

MD: Who are your Top 10 Barcelona street artists?

Love and admire them all… each one for their own unique artistic style and personality. So can’t make a Top 10, but instead I’ll mention one, because she is the reason why my eyes got opened to street art and the vast beauty of it, which I’m forever grateful for: Sackristan. Respect, respect, respect.

MD: What is Vaqueros de Barcelona (“Barcelona Cowboys”)?

Vaqueros de Barcelona is the original a title of a short movie that I planned shooting in Barcelona. The short synopsis for it is: “A young man, lost in an empty world, without passion or true values, heads of to Barcelona in search of the true cowboys, in hope that they can guide him and lead the way to a meaningful life.”

Despise a lot of pondering, nothing really happened before Marc Mascort i Boix (former founder of ROJO magazine) came on board. Within a week he managed to arrange a painting party, right in the centre of Barcelona. This event transformed Vaqueros de Barcelona into what it is today: an organisation that curates art shows and arrange events to promote the true artistic cowboys of Barcelona and abroad.

Today our goals are to keep making the painting parties, as well as finding the right format for the movie (planning to launch it in late 2010), so that it shows the beauty and the greatness of these street artists.

MD: Which is the most interesting scene you’ve shoot for the moment in the documentary?

That would be a spontaneous clip: Filming 2 artist painting in day time day… A bus driver stops his bus full of passengers. He opens his window and, in a very friendly and local way, shouts: “¡Hey, tío, qué imponente!” (“Hey, pal, that’s great!”). This is so beautiful because it totally reflects the common men’s view on street art in Barcelona: as something that is valued and appreciated.

MD: Finish this sentence: “The streets of our cities…

… are the place where we meet, say goodbye and fall in love. So let them reflect all of the beauty, longings, mysteries and great to come. That’s inside of us.”

If you are in Barcelona and fancy a street art trip, check this map by the guys of Montana Shop & Gallery. With a little bit of luck you’ll be able to see the work of names such as Diva, Boris Hoppek, Sixeart, Miss Van, Btoy, Delphine Delas, Kenor, Olivia, Pez, Rallito X, Ripo, Rotor, Royal, UIU or Zosen.