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Eduardo Kobra and MTO:

Approaches to Street Art and Reactions from the Public

Bonita Ybarra

A-H 555 Methods in Art History and Visual Studies

December 14, 2015

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On the backs of two historic buildings in Lexington, there are two murals that are very

different. One, located on Manchester Street, was created in November 2013 by French artist

MTO and is entitled “My Name is MO”, and the other – created a year earlier – is “Lincoln” by

Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, visible from Vine Street. These works contrast through color,

subject matter, and underlying concept. The public reaction to these murals has been mixed from

the time they were created. Based on research about the artists, visual analysis, and viewer

response, I believe that one artist had a predetermined agenda with little consideration for public

opinion, while the other was open to cultural and social history of the area.

PRHBTN, who commissioned the artwork, is a local organization from Lexington, Kentucky

that is trying to rehabilitate the idea of “street art” from its previous negative connotation as

“graffiti.” The murals are part of the conversation surrounding the revitalization of the local

downtown economy and additions to the artistic scene of Lexington. By bringing in national and

international artists, PRHBTN is involved in the movement to rebrand this area of Lexington and

help reaffirm the notion that the city is creative and open-minded.

Graffiti has grown as a global art form over the years. During the early 1960s and 1970s, it

transitioned from Philadelphia to New York – the up and coming scene for the first wave of graffiti

artists. The anonymous “tag” was the tradition that covered urban areas from the streets to trains.

To the early practitioners, there was not a definition for what they were doing – they considered

themselves “writers” and their actions “writing.”1 The original meaning of “graffiti” is to scratch or

1 Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon. The History of American Graffiti. 1st, 2011 ed. New York, NY: Harper Design,

2010, 5.

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to make harsh markings, but to writers this was an offensive term used by the media. Over time,

the term became generally accepted and was soon embraced by the graffiti community. 2

Graffiti was – and still is – considered illegal, but it was an innovation of urban youth who

felt they did not have a voice. Referencing comic books, cartoons, advertisements and much more,

they looked at everything for inspiration. Various colors and patterns covered the city streets—

this form of visual expression encouraged people to speak their minds without facing

consequences as long as they were not caught. People who had no means of being visible or

expressing themselves had the chance to speak out in a quick and mobile way that created a visual

impact on an audience.3

It wasn’t until the late 1990s and early 2000s that the meaning of street art came into

existence. It was a stylistic expansion of the early anonymous “writers” who took their work from

the streets to the galleries — going further with a work than just a quick “tag.” Recognized for

their commissioned work, none of the artists thought that what they were doing would lead them

to the art world. Creating stickers, posters, and painting large works – these “writers” began

introducing themselves to the public, where they were becoming successful as worldwide street,

commercial, and gallery artists.4

When researching information about the PRHBTN participant MTO, it became clear that

there is limited information about the artist. Many of the blogs and online articles that mention his

work repeat information. They cover that the artist was born in France but based out of Berlin,

and some go on to explain the significance behind his street name, which comes from his

2 Ibid., 5. 3 Ibid., 15-25. 4 Ibid., 382-383.

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nickname given by his mother—“Mateo.”5 Common descriptions of his work say that his murals

tend to be very large and detailed greyscale works with obscure color splashes that are either

within the piece or highlighting the boundaries of the piece. They also suggest that his work is

mainly inspired by pop culture icons or themes within film and music.6 In an interview with writer,

Vincent Morgan, from the street art site FATCAP, MTO explains that the inspiration behind his

realistic style was influenced by his father’s love for black and white photographs and that his

color choices were “in response to [his] work constraints… function[ing] as a way to make [the]

pieces identifiable as belonging to one person within the huge array of street art.”7

It can also be said that because there is little information about the artist, he has closer ties

to traditional graffiti than that to the overall genre of street art.8 His need to stay hidden behind

the “tag” reveals mysterious qualities, keeping his identity a secret in order to speak freely

through his work. In 2012, he published an older and unfinished series that he felt was relevant to

topics during the French elections, covering issues of police brutality towards Romanian

immigrants and commenting on the running candidates.9 Most recently, MTO has been working

on a new project that challenges the ideas of censorship and mass corporate control. In Figure 1,

the titled work “We Live on Google Earth” consists of two messages— “ERROR 404-MURAL NOT

FOUND” and “LOADING PLEASE WAIT” between two loading symbols.10 In both instances, neither

5 "MTO – Street Art Labor Intensity." Kuriositas. September 26, 2015. Accessed November 10, 2015.

http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/09/MTO.html.

6 Ibid., n.p. 7 Vincent Morgan. "MTO." FatCap. June 26, 2009. Accessed December 13, 2015.

http://www.fatcap.com/article/7.html. 8 Ibid,. n.p. 9 Arden. "MTO - Douce France - CFYE Magazine." CFYE Magazine. April 9, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2015.

http://cfye.com/mto-douce-france-6122.

10 Tasbeeh Herwees. "This 404 Message Is Anti-Google Art." GOOD Magazine. April 21, 2015. Accessed November

30, 2015. http://magazine.good.is/articles/404-google-protest-art.

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were commissioned and both commented on the political and social issues that were the

motivators behind the works, making them classic examples of how graffiti is used to speak to

large audiences, forcing viewers to listen. In that same interview with Vincent Morgan, MTO

showed mixed feelings about calling himself a graffiti artist. “Personally, I do street art…but I do

graffiti; that is still debatable. I use the spray can in the street, but that does not automatically

make me a graffiti artist… for the moment I am, let’s say, a spray painter!” The statement reveals

his personal feelings about the type of artist he is trying to be.11

Unlike MTO, there is a face that can be recognized with the name of the street artist,

Eduardo Kobra. Born in Brazil, Kobra is a self-taught artist that has been using spray paint as his

medium for over 25 years.12 At a young age he was influenced by the Brazilian hip-hop scene and,

from that, formed his own style.13 In high demand all over the world, Kobra is known for his large

scale murals that are rich with color and shapes — his “kaleidoscope” effect.14 The works consist

of photo-realistic images of influential people in history.15 In Kobra’s personal statement about his

murals he says, “My intention is to provoke and delight, with bright colors, showing once again

that art and democracy, remain fundamental to art and life as a whole.”16 History is a common

11 Vincent Morgan. "MTO." FatCap. June 26, 2009. Accessed December 13, 2015.

http://www.fatcap.com/article/7.html.

12 LexKyTV. "Eduardo Kobra - Artist - Lincoln Mural - Downtown Lexington, Kentucky." YouTube. November 14,

2013. Accessed October 18, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwUfGMMEs3I.

13 Ibid,. n.p.

14 "Kobra Mural in New York's Chelsea." Kuriositas. June 17, 2012. Accessed November 16, 2015.

http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/06/kobra-mural-in-new-yorks-chelsea.html.

15 Nicole Figuerola. "Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies." Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies. Accessed

October 20, 2015. http://www.streetartbio.com/#!about-eduardo-kobra-biography/cw54.

16 Kakie Urch. "Street Art: Kobra Makes Mark with Lincoln Mural in Lexington." Ace Weekly RSS. November 14,

2013. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2013/11/street-art-kobra-makes-mark-with-lincoln -

mural-in-lexington/.

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theme among his work; he uses his subject matter to invoke thoughts and emotions to contrast

past memories with present issues that connect to the city or country where he is painting.17

Working with an open identity to the public, Kobra is considered a distinguished street artist

whose artistic values come from graffiti. His vibrant murals are dedications to the figures he

paints, but through them he addresses issues that should not be forgotten. In October 2014, Kobra

painted a mural that was a tribute to recent Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, shown in

Figure 2. From Pakistan, she was the youngest person to ever win this award for her fight against

the local Taliban, speaking out for every child’s right to an education.18 To Kobra, this would be an

example of how “...the visual identity of the painting, specifically the theme, often relates

to…social conditions.”19

Located on the backside of the historic Pepper Distillery on Manchester Street, the mural

“My Name is MO” shown in Figure 3 stands at 75 feet tall and 270 feet wide.20 It depicts an

ambiguous figure that is being caged behind bars with caution tape, while the figure hides its face

with a hood and gas mask. The character has four hands, each performing a different action --

from right to left: the first is gripping the jail like bars, the two in the middle of the piece are

forming the letters “M” and “O”, and the last hand on the left is using a spray can. A red tape runs

across the piece that reads “CAUTION” and “DO NOT FEED.” The majority of the work is painted in

17 "Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW: EDUARDO KOBRA." Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW:

EDUARDO KOBRA. September 24, 2014. Accessed November 14, 2015. http://www.juxtapoz.com/street -art/artist-

interview-eduardo-kobra. 18 "Eduardo Kobra Salutes Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai." Cube Breaker. October 12, 2014. Accessed

November 25, 2015. http://www.cubebreaker.com/kobra-nobel-malala-yousafzai/.

19 "Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW: EDUARDO KOBRA." Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW:

EDUARDO KOBRA. September 24, 2014. Accessed November 14, 2015. http://www.juxtapoz.com/street -art/artist-

interview-eduardo-kobra.

20 "Street Artist MTO Paints 'My Name Is MO' on Lexington Distillery." Cube Breaker. November 14, 2014. Accessed

November 26, 2015. http://www.cubebreaker.com/mto-street-artist/.

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a black and white scheme with the only color being red, which emphasizes the caution tape, a ring

on the spray can, and the paint that is being sprayed.

The opposing mural, dubbed “Lincoln” – shown in Figure 4 – is located on the back of the

city’s beloved Kentucky Theater, and is known as being one of the larger murals around Lexington

ranging around 60 feet tall.21 The image is a clear representation of the nation’s former political

leader, Abraham Lincoln. Referencing the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C, the iconic figure is

placed in the middle of the composition.22 The majority of the mural is painted with a wide range

of colors that are relatable to a rainbow. The color is formed into s ections of geometric shapes –

squares and triangles – that create a pattern that continues throughout the figure’s clothing and

seat. The radiating background also has color, but is made from a simpler color scheme: red,

white, and blue. There are some absences of color in the face and hands of the figure that contrast

with the majority of the work. There is also a white diffused highlight around the edge of Lincoln.

The purpose of PRHBTN is to celebrate “…art forms that have been criminalized,

marginalized, and under-appreciated by the mainstream…by bringing together a regional

community.”23 This is not about visual aesthetics or about artistic quality – it is about purpose.

Does the agenda of the two murals achieve the goal of revitalizing the downtown community?

Undecided of what he was going to paint, Eduardo Kobra did research about Lexington and

Kentucky after he arrived, looking for iconic figures in the community’s history. “Lincoln” is located

21 "Lexington, KY - Giant Abraham Lincoln Mural." RoadsideAmerica.com. 2013. Accessed November 26, 2015.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/40821.

22 LexKyTV. "Eduardo Kobra - Artist - Lincoln Mural - Downtown Lexington, Kentucky." YouTube. November 14,

2013. Accessed October 18, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwUfGMMEs3I.

23 "PRHBTN." PRHBTN. http://www.prhbtn.com/.

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in the downtown area where commuters pass it as they go to and from places in their daily

schedules. The image fits in an “almost” perfect square where the use of color unifies the overall

composition while contrasting with the figure’s black and white body features. Kobra used a range

of colors and shapes, creating his “kaleidoscope” effect that he is known for—incorporating

patriotic colors like red, white, and blue for the background that suggests glorifying rays of

light. Bright and uplifting, the mural radiates American values of freedom and equality through

the overlapping of the various shapes and colors. As a well-known political leader that was born in

Kentucky, Lincoln’s history brings pride to general audiences as well as the local community

because of the positive qualities – like honesty and freedom – that he represents.

Unlike Kobra, MTO had requested beforehand that his identity be kept a secret until the

unveiling of his work. Writer and self-proclaimed “travelographer,” David Kravetz from the news

site ACE, says that MTO “…came to town quietly and by the time he departed he had left…both

controversy and ire [behind].”24 This could imply that the artist had a preconceived plan about

what he had chosen to paint. The mural, “My Name is MO”, is located on the outer edge of the

downtown area where crime is high and urban culture becomes dominant. With difficult

dimensions, MTO had been commissioned to do the largest work in the history of the event and

his career.25 With the majority of “My Name is MO” being black and white with splashes of red,

there is a stark contrast to “Lincoln.” With the colors and the actions creating a negative tone, the

ambiguous figure behind bars is not as relatable to the general public. The jail -like bars, the

24 David Kravetz. "Street Art in 2014 in Lexington." Ace Weekly RSS. December 10, 2014. Accessed December 2,

2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2014/12/street-art-in-2014-in-lexington/

25 "Brooklyn Street Art." Fighting Prohibition with MTO In Lexington, KY :. November 20, 2014. Accessed November

26, 2015. http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/2014/11/20/fighting-prohibition-with-mto-in-lexington-

ky/#.Vm56LHarTDe.

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caution tape, and multiple hands suggest that this is a personal statement about not just an

individual, but a group of people. Given MTO’s background, it would make sense that he would be

voicing his opinion about an oppressed group, possibly that of his fellow graffiti artists.

Like “selfies” of the art world, the two muralist’s works represent not only the area they

were created for, but also the personality of each artist. The murals give insight into each artist’s

background and are representations of how they choose to comment on social issues. In a way,

MTO is an introvert that comes from the shadows of traditional graffiti, hiding behind a tag—“My

Name is MO.” Kobra – being an extrovert – makes his work vibrant, relating more closely to street

art for which the public has less opposition. The point behind a work is to create a conversation

between the artist, the work, and the audience, that being good or bad. Maybe the revitalization

that PRHBTN is seeking for Lexington – “the regional community” – is not just as simple as a

“pretty face” on a wall.

The responses to each work vary depending on the audience. News articles and online

reviews have had nothing but praise for the Kobra and his depiction of ”Lincoln” while responses

over MTO and his mural ”My Name is MO” have been split. David Kravetz from ACE, feels that

“Lincoln” is a “…brightly colored piece of work that has drawn interest from around the world and

is now a regular photo-op stop for visitors.”26 On the other side of the spectrum, Tom Eblen –

columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, describes “My Name is MO” on his blog as “technically

excellent,” “self-indulgent,” and “…a vanity piece that missed an opportunity to relate to its

26 David Kravetz. "Street Art in 2014 in Lexington." Ace Weekly RSS. December 10, 2014. Accessed December 2,

2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2014/12/street-art-in-2014-in-lexington/

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setting.”27 He later adds “…but those are just my opinions…” and when he spoke with a friend

about ”My Name is MO,” it happened to be one of his friend’s favorite murals in Lexington.

People are skeptical about MTO because they feel the hands in his work resemble gang

signs. The owner of a flower nursery in front of ”My Name is MO” was not happy with what he

saw, stating that ”It’s right in our faces...without our permission.”28 Members of the community

have also shared their dislike for the piece including Mark Copher – senior at the University of

Kentucky – saying that ”...it was public money that went into it so it should be for the public to

decide it they want to keep it.” Founder of PRHBTN, John Winters explains in an interview with

news channel ABC 36 that the mural is in no way afflitated to gangs.29 One thing about ”My Name

is MO” is that although it has created a negative stir, it has also become the stage for a popular

area. Now considered part of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, new resturants and local shops have

moved into the distillery district, creating revenue for the once abondoned place. The location has

been renovated into a trendy spot for people interested in ”...live music, the arts, a working

distillery and unique architecture...that is an introduction to Lexington’s historic past and lively

present.”30 It can be argued that MTO’s work has aided in the public’s attraction to the area and

that ”My Name is MO” has made an impact in the promotion of Lexington’s ”...lively present.”31

Street art has become a growing phenomenon in recent years. Part of the reason for this

expansion could be that the artists themselves have a growing appetite. They want to be heard

27 Tom Eblen. "The Bluegrass and Beyond." The Bluegrass and Beyond. October 10, 2015.

http://tomeblen.bloginky.com/page/2/. 28 "New Lexington Mural Draws Complaints - ABC 36 News." ABC 36 News. October 23, 2014. Accessed October 21,

2015. http://www.wtvq.com/2014/10/23/new-lexington-mural-draws-complaints/.

29 Ibid., n.p.

30 The Lexington Distillery District: History Is Brewing. Accessed February 23, 2016.

http://www.lexingtondistillerydistrict.com/.

31 Ibid., n.p.

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because they have something to share and, unlike with early graffiti artists, people are starting to

listen. Auctioneer Arnaud Oliveux explains, “I think this art will last. It corresponds to a state of

society that many people can relate to.”32 The fact that there is something in the open for all to

see is a major risk for artists who choose to express their ideas but like the murals in Lexington,

there is a void in silence that is filled when a community comes together in a discussion that is

larger than just one or two people. Tom Eblen puts it best in the following quotation:

Good art often elicts strong emotions. That is epecially true with public art, which is big and out there for everyone to judge. A piece that touches one person’s soul can turn another’s stomach. Public art without any edge is often boring and forgettable.33

Whatever term you choose – graffiti or street art – these murals are a form of art that is public,

easy to access, and free to everyone that passes by. So for cities like Lexington that are beginning

to embrace the movement, there is no stopping it.

32 Karl Green. "The Writing on the Wall." International Auctioneer, 2008, 10-14. 33 Tom Eblen. "The Bluegrass and Beyond." The Bluegrass and Beyond. October 10, 2015.

http://tomeblen.bloginky.com/page/2/.

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Bibliography

Anderson, Aaron. "New Lexington Mural Draws Complaints - ABC 36 News." ABC 36 News.

October 23, 2014. Accessed October 18, 2015. http://www.wtvq.com/2014/10/23/new-lexington-mural-draws-complaints/.

Arden. "MTO - Douce France - CFYE Magazine." CFYE Magazine. April 9, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2015. http://cfye.com/mto-douce-france-6122. "Brooklyn Street Art." Fighting Prohibition with MTO In Lexington, KY :. November 20, 2014. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/theblog/2014/11/20/fighting-prohibition-with-mto-in-lexington-ky/#.Vm56LHarTDe. Eblen, Tom. "The Bluegrass and Beyond." The Bluegrass and Beyond. October 10, 2015. http://tomeblen.bloginky.com/page/2/. "Eduardo Kobra Salutes Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai." Cube Breaker. October 12, 2014. Accessed November 25, 2015. http://www.cubebreaker.com/kobra-nobel-malala-

yousafzai/.

Figuerola, Nicole. "Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies." Street Art Bio | Street Artists Biographies. Accessed October 20, 2015. http://www.streetartbio.com/#!about-eduardo-kobra-

biography/cw54.

Gastman, Roger, and Neelon, Caleb. The History of American Graffiti. 1st, 2011 ed. New York, NY: Harper Design, 2010.

Green, Karl. "The Writing on the Wall." International Auctioneer, 2008, 10-14.

Herwees, Tasbeeh. "This 404 Message Is Anti-Google Art." GOOD Magazine. April 21, 2015.

Accessed November 30, 2015. http://magazine.good.is/articles/404-google-protest-art.

"Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW: EDUARDO KOBRA." Juxtapoz Magazine - ARTIST INTERVIEW: EDUARDO KOBRA. September 24, 2014. Accessed November 14, 2015. http://www.juxtapoz.com/street-art/artist-interview-eduardo-kobra. "Kobra Mural in New York's Chelsea." Kuriositas. June 17, 2012. Accessed November 16, 2015. http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/06/kobra-mural-in-new-yorks-chelsea.html. Kravetz, David. "Street Art in 2014 in Lexington." Ace Weekly RSS. December 10, 2014. Accessed December 2, 2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2014/12/street-art-in-2014-in-lexington/.

LexKyTV. "Eduardo Kobra - Artist - Lincoln Mural - Downtown Lexington, Kentucky." YouTube.

November 14, 2013. Accessed October 18, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwUfGMMEs3I.

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"Lexington, KY - Giant Abraham Lincoln Mural." RoadsideAmerica.com. 2013. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/40821.

"MTO – Street Art Labor Intensity." Kuriositas. September 26, 2015. Accessed November 10, 2015.

http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/09/MTO.html.

Morgan, Vincent. "MTO." FatCap. June 26, 2009. Accessed December 13, 2015. http://www.fatcap.com/article/7.html. "New Lexington Mural Draws Complaints - ABC 36 News." ABC 36 News. October 23, 2014. Accessed October 21, 2015. http://www.wtvq.com/2014/10/23/new-lexington-mural-draws-complaints/. "PRHBTN." PRHBTN. http://www.prhbtn.com/. The Lexington Distillery District: History Is Brewing. Accessed February 23, 2016. http://www.lexingtondistillerydistrict.com/. "Street Artist MTO Paints 'My Name Is MO' on Lexington Distillery." Cube Breaker. November 14,

2014. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.cubebreaker.com/mto-street-artist/.

Urch, Kakie. "Street Art: Kobra Makes Mark with Lincoln Mural in Lexington." Ace Weekly RSS. November 14, 2013. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2013/11/street-

art-kobra-makes-mark-with-lincoln-mural-in-lexington/.

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Figure 1

MTO. "This 404 Message Is Anti-Google Art." April, 2015. Gaeta, Italy. April 21, 2015. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://magazine.good.is/articles/404-google-protest-art

Figure 2

Kobra, Eduardo. “Peace" October, 2014. Rome, Italy. Accessed November 25, 2015.

http://www.cubebreaker.com/kobra-nobel-malala-yousafzai/.

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Figure 3

MTO. “My Name Is MO” November, 2014. Lexington, Kentucky. Accessed November 26, 2015.

http://www.cubebreaker.com/mto-street-artist/.

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Figure 4 Kobra, Eduardo. "Lincoln" November,2013. Lexington, Kentucky. Accessed November 26, 2015. http://www.aceweekly.com/2013/11/street-art-kobra-makes-mark-with-lincoln-mural-in-lexington/.