Pixo
In downtown São Paulo, a dangerous and silent rivalry unfolds each night. Under the cover of darkness, a group of young artists scale the city’s tallest skyscrapers to create their “Pixo” art. Originating in the city’s poorest neighborhoods during the 1980s as a form of territorial competition among gangs, “Pixo” was a way for marginalized youths to claim space in exclusive areas. Today, it is viewed as a form of protest against Brazil’s stark economic inequality, and the handwriting and layout of each city’s unique “Pixo” style is identifiable. In São Paulo, the art is done vertically, emphasizing the city’s towering skyline.