Street artists 'Anonymouse' hold exhibit of mice-sized buildings

Nine years after sneaking their first miniature creation onto a busy street in Malmo, Sweden, the artists known as “Anonymouse” have stepped out of the dark and taken some of their mouse-sized shops, restaurants, and homes to exhibit at a museum. The artists, Elin Westerholm and Lupus Nensé, work in show business, making props and sets for film and television. Their secret street art delighted thousands of people in Sweden’s cities for years before the artists recently revealed themselves and said their street project was over.

Class discussion: What is the difference between “vandalism” and “street art?” The street artist known as Banksy uses stencils to secretly paint his satirical artwork on walls and sides of buildings in England. Are his artworks quickly removed? Or, are they celebrated and preserved? Are walls containing his work sometimes removed and sold for thousands of pounds? When does graffiti become valuable art? Does clever humor and attention to detail “sell” street art? How long have humans been covering walls with graffiti and art?