Content warning: From underwater kisses in Spain to playful chalk mice exchanging hearts, street art has a way of making romance visible in unexpected corners. In Melbourne, Disney princesses share a kiss, while in Italy a couple hides under a red umbrella. This collectio
From underwater kisses in Spain to playful chalk mice exchanging hearts, street art has a way of making romance visible in unexpected corners. In Melbourne, Disney princesses share a kiss, while in Italy a couple hides under a red umbrella. This collection takes us from Cologne to Baltimore, from painted hearts on walls to murals where nature itself joins the story.
1. Underwater Love — Anna Repullo Vique in Torrent, Spain
A large mural of two lovers kissing underwater, surrounded by fish and seahorses. The scene is painted on a blue wall, with hair and bodies floating in water currents. More photos!: Underwater Love (5 photos)
Two chalk-drawn mice peek from holes in a brick wall. One mouse holds a fishing rod with a tiny pink heart dangling, reaching toward the other. More!: Happiness Maker David Zinn (8 Photos)
3. Princesses Kiss — Carlton, Melbourne, Australia
A graffiti mural shows Snow White and Cinderella kissing against a colorful wall with tags and patterns, a playful twist on classic fairy tales.
4. Red Umbrella Kiss
A wall painting of a couple embracing under a bright red umbrella, with small red hearts and a black cat sitting by their feet.
5. Love Gives, Love Takes
A stencil-style work of two figures leaning out of windows. One drops a red heart down on a string, while the other reaches up to catch it.
6. One Red Heart of the World — La Staa in Norway
A bold mural showing the continents of Earth shaped as a giant red heart on a white wall, with two people standing in front of it. More!: “One” by La Staa in Bergen, Norway (3 photos)
A mural spelling out the word “LOVE” using large black hand silhouettes on a gray wall, with a staircase casting shadows across it.
10. When Street Art Meets Nature — Ben Caillous in Argelès-sur-Mer, France
A mural painted on a small building, showing a girl with green leafy hair holding a basket. The real tree above the building integrates into her painted hair.
From tender embraces in Mexico City to playful lampposts leaning together like lovers on a bench, artists across the world celebrate love in its many forms. This collection of 10 artworks brings together kisses, symbols, and animals painted and sculpted into urban life — all united by one theme: love.
3. In Silence — Vadim Mezzo in Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Two herons stand close against a soft pink sunset. The calm tones emphasize serenity and stillness in companionship.
Vadim Mezzo: Sometimes we need silence to feel the love. Being in nature away from the rhythm and noises of the city is much easier to feel connection with this world. In this work I tried to reflect that very moment of serenity, when two people can fully sense these thin threads that connect them with each other and the world around them. And I guess, a piece of pacifying in a big city will never be the waste.
An elephant extends a bouquet of red flowers to a small rat. A playful symbol of affection across differences.
8. Romantic Lampposts — Unknown Artist
Two bent lampposts curve toward each other above a bench, creating a sculptural symbol of romance.
9. The Power of Love
A spray-painted quote on a wall reads: “When the power of love is greater than the love of power, the world will know peace.” The line is famously linked to musician Jimi Hendrix.
10. Modern Love: Levalet’s Spin on Romeo and Juliet in Hermonville, Champagne-Ardenne
In the charming town of Hermonville, Champagne-Ardenne, a classic tale of love takes on a contemporary twist. French artist Levalet, known for his playful, narrative-driven street art, presents his interpretation of the timeless story of Romeo and Juliet.
New podcast alert! "Smashing Security" ep 361 is out now, with special guest Paul Ducklin, yours truly, and my erstwhile co-host Carole Theriault.
We discuss how your smartphone may be toast – if you use a hacked wireless charger, we take a closer look at the latest developments in the unfolding LockBit ransomware drama, and Carole dips her toe into online AI romance apps.
Your smartphone may be toast – if you use a hacked wireless charger, we take a closer look at the latest developments in the unfolding LockBit ransomware drama…
Pulp book cover reimaginings of the original Star Wars trilogy
It is an inaccuracy to say that Star Wars is science fiction. Its true genre is Planetary Romance. Star Wars is an adventure story in the style of Edgar Rice Burroughs A Princess of Mars, Michael Moorcock's Michael Kane of Old Mars, C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy or—quite self-consciously—Flash Gordon. A farmboy stumbles across secret information that leads him to rescue a princess, aided by his two servants, his wizard mentor, a pirate and a friendly giant.
I instantly fell in love with these imaginary book covers by Timothy Anderson, which to me perfectly capture the feel and intention of the original Star Wars film.
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