Can You Spot the Fake Street Art?

On By ResaIn Street Art

A wall was painted for a scene in a movie. After the scene was shot, the wall was painted over. I knew from the first piece, that something was off. Let me know which one you thought was fake in comments. Answer at end of post.

Street Art #1

Street Art #2

Street Art #3

Street Art #4

Pics taken by Resa – 2023 & 2024

Toronto, Canada

They shot a movie once, in my hometown
Everybody was in it, from miles around
Out at the speedway, some kind of Elvis thing
Well, I ain't no movie star
But I can get behind anything.

When You Blow at High Dough - The Tragically Hip

119 thoughts on “Can You Spot the Fake Street Art?”

  1. I wonder if it seems different “live”?

    The paint, colors and shading on the faces seems very different in No. 4. Like maybe it was painted to look a certain way on film, but it also has tags, which seems like a lot of detail for a fake. There’s something about the green creature/person in no.3 that bugs me.

    1. Yes! In my experience all art is more powerful “live”.

      #4 – you are right. It has been attacked by many taggers. Also, I note that in spite of their primitive nature, tags are hard to fake. #4 is my fave in this series.

      #3 – is real. I’m not the biggest fan of “cartoon” style street art. There is a lot of copying of well known cartoon characters, anime, and invented.
      The green girl – is probably a take on an anime. I did search the image in colour and b& w.
      I make 1 exception on cartoony street art, this is the “Poser Bunnies”.

      #2 is. the fake. The face is the best part, and it’s only okay…to me. However, the tags are ridiculous. “Gas”…”Zoorf”. lol…crispy.
      Too many tags are too easy to read.

      This was painted in the alley behind my bedroom window. It was great to wake up, look out and have a laugh over 5 days.

      Thanks Merril! Love your comment.

      2. Got it. #2 wasn’t bad after all… In a way, I think it’s all right to paint a mural specifically for an occasion, whatever it is…

        Cheers Resa

        1. Yes, agree.
          Also, the film company does not want an artist or even a tagger, coming to them and asking for $$ because their graffiti was used in a movie.

          When the movie uses their scenic painters to paint…anything, the company owns all rights to it.
          Their butt$ are covered.

          1. Of course. Hadn’t really thought of that. A friend of my youngest daughter has a company that “cleans” movies, i.e. digitally removes ads, meaningless objects, street art maybe. (I’ll have to ask him). They’re starting to use IA…

      1. I sold the Public Eye business twenty years ago so I could retire vaguely young. I remember some interesting moments, yet I hated work. Such as life!

        1. Work is work.
          If it’s fun, it’s fun.
          We all hate work, and love fun.

          Okay, I’m 3/4 through the book before yours. It’s a great book, but there are about 750 pages. I could be in the Guinness Book as the world’s slowest reader.
          Cheers!

    1. Lol… false tablet paintings. You do well with your tablet paintings, Nonetheless your non tablet paintings are special.xx

          1. Yes the cat, she’s happy meowing me that loudly before 5 AM…her food plate still full, she just want me to look at her eating I guess..:D Still have to figure out how to fit a studio in part of the kitchen ‘dining room’, not really a dining room but large kitchen…and I am not a great cook…so…as for the studio, I thinking about it but also about $$$..cost of studio, material, coffees…at the coffee shop and pastry…:D but well I won’t live another 30 years..I think a bit less so….should do it..:)

            1. Interesting. I like the sound of coffees and pastry.
              Well, just do your art.
              Maybe the cat could pose for you? When she sleeps.
              I was trying to be funny, but I bet you would paint a fantastic cat painting. xx

              1. I should do that…she would make a great model,
                she does not stay long in the same pose, except when sleeping in the afternoon 🙂

                1. I love cats. I’ll bet cat paintings sell well. (better then humans)
                  A friend of mine (artist) put out a call for photos of peoples dead pets. Then she printed them on art paper, put some paint and gold leaf, and made golden halos over the pets.
                  She framed them in frames from the Good Will.

                  She had an art show with them in a church. She sold out in an an hour. The money got her and her family through the covid lockdowns.

                  1. That’s nice, I had 2 cats before, I am thinking about a sketch or painting about them and Maya as well, I took lots of pics, could probably find a few to work with..should make a serie of cats and boots, like the one in the movie Shrek..:D

                    1. Ohh, people would like that!
                      Cats are especially hot now that JD Vance’s comment about childless cat ladies is gone viral. xx

    1. Ahh, #4 is my personal fave. Many are picking this one, but it is #2 that was the fake one.
      Thank you so much for reading and taking a guess, Martha!
      You have a fine day too!

    1. Ah… the answer is #2.
      #4 is my personal fave, although #1 is pretty sweet.
      About #3 -cartoon style street art is very popular. More so in the past, but still so.

      I’m so happy people are taking a guess!
      Thank you dear Frank!

    1. Aha!
      Very perceptive, Dave.
      There were 5, but one was painted in disappearing ink paint. As I was writing the post, the art slowly disappeared. At that point I had to narrow the presentation to 4.

  7. Timothy Price's avatar Timothy Price

    It’s tough to tell, but el numero dos doesn’t have the same vibe as the other murals.

    1. Right on!
      You got it Tim!
      Feel is a definite aspect, and #2 makes me laugh. The scenic film artists took days to paint it in the alley behind my bedroom window.
      Locations guarded it at night, so no real taggers could deface it.
      I had a fun time watching over the days. xx

  8. The hammy dudes are sobbing cos the vid ain’t available here………… Seriously, I am struggling re which one. Tossing between 3 and 4. Prob it ain’t either.

    1. Aww, I hope the hammy dudes recover soon. (the little rats…erm I mean hamsters)It’s a fab song anyway.
      It’s #2. Although most are picking 3 & 4.
      When I made the post I thought, I’ll bet most are going to pick #4. Sure enough!
      #4 is my personal fave. I love the faces.
      xxxxxxx

      1. ‘They will need to move to your part of the globe to get to see the vid. 2 was one I stopped at, but gosh it was hard …lol… All fab art though. I can never walk past a bit of graffiti art her without thinking of you and your fab pics of it.

    1. Many are picking #3. I think it’s because of the cartoony image.
      However, #2 is the fake.
      Thank you so much Holley, for your comment and taking a guess! I love it.

        1. I agree.
          The first writing that went up was questionable. Knowing that wall, it was too tidy. Then the face went up.
          Honestly, faces are #1 on my street art love list, then animals.
          That is not a street art face.
          Thank you, Matt!

  11. I’ve been trying to improve my visual literacy, but I don’t think I’m there yet with street art. I’m guessing #3 because it’s the only one that appears to have been painted on a flat wall. I hadn’t heard The Tragically Hip before. What a great name for a band!

    1. Thanks Robbie!
      Dave often says funny things that set me up to being funny. I love it!

      Yes, the cartoon one is cute.
      I’m not surprised you picked that one out, because of your wonderful “Sir Chocolate” children’s books and characters. ❦🌹

  13. These are all great and unfortunately, I have seen the answer. Now, that said, the face is fabulous on no. 2! But I can see what you mean about the tags being way too easy to read.

    Wonderful, as per, Sorceress!

    1. Thunder!
      You’re back.
      Yes, the face is pleasant to look at.
      The tags are hilarious!
      I mean what street artist or tagger would be called gas.. Zoorf? gimme a break.
      Crispy…. hahahaha!
      Yeah.. no… tags are so hard to read, unless your tag is crispy. 😂

      Ah well! I enjoyed watching the film guys paint it.
      xoxoxo

      1. Sorceress!
        I am!
        The face is and the tags are.
        Buahahaha! Right.
        Crispy. Got it 😉

        I bet you did! Front and centre, special invite! xoxoxo

  14. To be honest. I thought #3 was fake. Counting the much color that was involved. It seems like movie productions try at times try to brighten things for pre-production of course. As I scrolled down, I now see what was real and what was fake. Good one Resa.

    Is this movie going to be by Hollywood? or Canada? curious. 🙂

    1. Thanks Charlie!
      This is an American production.
      I’m not sure if it’s a movie or series, but it is American for sure!

      Love the Street Art.
      Heart in
      Colour probe
      Dance of veils
      Vanity
      Exposed.

  18. That’s a fine example of organic mural creation – so many elements. I can’t tell honestly say which is real. They used to film the street scenes from Nash Bridges in front of the building where I worked and I’m sure many of my coworkers ended up in crowd scenes. We’d go out at lunch and watch Don Johnson who in person and full makeup sitting in a car being towed by a camera truck looked not at all glamorous!

    1. Hahaha!
      Working on film is not glamorous at all.
      However, it has its satisfactions when the project is over.
      Hey, Don Johnson was a big time hottie! Lucky you!
      Thanks Jan!

  19. Oh wow! I’ve had a lot if fun with this trying find the “ real” thing. It’s all very unique and exciting wall art from this angle. Thank dear Resa
    . Love this.
    xoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. Thank you dear Holly Meece!
      I’ve wanted to post this for awhile.

      I’m working my way through finishing computer stuff for the Gown-In, and have a good start on Dylan. (so far)

      What a fabulous nose he has. Someone told me I’m often picking people with strange noses.

      Love you to peeces Meeces!
      xoxoxoxo

  21. Well, I have a bad eye for this sort of thing. I couldn’t tell which art was fake! I was too busy enjoying the cool art, especially the striped face of #4 🌞

  22. My fave is #2 because of that beautiful face but it looks almost too perfect, so perhaps that’s the one?? I’m not a big fan of #3 because of the colors, a bit too cartoony for me. #4 strikes me as real and it feels ‘organic’

    Great post, it really got us thinking! 😀

    1. Thanks Ruth!
      You are right about #2. That is the fake one.

      #4 is my fave and I’m soft for #1 as well!
      Thanks fr playing along! 😀😀

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  26. Hi Resa – you always give me something to think about. The question that came to mind was, why do mural artists like to paint the faces of women? So I did some a little research on the question and came up with some answers, although I think that this is a much larger research project that I would like to explore one day (so little time so much to learn). It seems that the diverse expressions of women provide a rich canvas for artists to explore themes of beauty, strength, vulnerability, and resilience. Depicting women in murals can serve as a powerful statement on gender equality, empowerment, and inclusivity, making their presence significant in public spaces.

    1. Interesting!
      I find the street artists I’ve met to be liberal and open minded, anti war, music lovers, fun to hang with… lots of good stuff.

      Of course I’m a huge fan of faces in street art, especially women’s faces.
      There are some male faces, but not as many as female.
      I admit I am guilty of having a bit of a stock of men’s faces in my photo files. I think in the near future I will do something about that.

      Still, the female faces are captivating.

      Always love your comments Rebecca!
      Art rocks and so do you!

    1. Well, fake electors, fake body parts, fake food, fake honesty, AI fakes, fake fakes….

      We are living in a faux, faux pas.

      # 2 is the movie art..fake in terms of street art, but not in terms of art in general.

      This could be a fake comment.

      MUAH – not fake

  29. Couldn’t tell. Couldn’t see the video either. (I wonder whether Mexico is barred from certain platforms. Happened to me before)

    So it’s #2? Lemme go back.

    1. Yes, I get “Not available in your country” sometimes. I’m not sure why.
      Often when that happens I can go to Youtube and find another version that is available.

      YES! #2.
      It was in the lane behind my bedroom window. I watched them paint it for days. I know from the firt piece something was off.

      Still, it is art, albeit a clone/copy sort of.

      Thanks Brian!

      1. Yes, copies remain copies… But, it’s like movie props, right? It gives the impression. And I like the idea that a studio paid an artist to do street art for a shot. Most times they don’t get a nickel. 😉

        1. Exactly.. like a prop.

          Decent budget films in Canada are all unionized. Canada has very strong labour unions.
          The American films that come up use unions.
          Everyone gets paid.

          There are some (very few) non-union films. These are filmmakers doing their first shows. One has to start somewhere. 🤗

          Lol. I remember one of my first jobs had an old warehouse space with no electricity. The guys tied into a telephone pole.
          The electric company would disconnect it once a week. The guys would reattach it.

          Ahh, the good ol’ daze!
          Gotta start somewhere!

                1. Yes, it was short.
                  I borrowed a lot of clothes, I made things at home on my down time and made some deals with a couple of clothing rental companies.
                  Over my career, I always used those companies first. and payed them back 10 fold by giving them clothes left over from productions that said just to get rid of the stuff when the production was over.

                  1. It’s interesting how one develops relationships with companies around one’s job isn’t it? Yours must be a fascinating job inside “the industry”. One always takes clothes for granted. Except for historical or futuristic productions. An even then… The Enterprise’s uniforms of our dear Kirk, Scotty, Spock et al, after a very short while were… normal, weren’t they?
                    You must have thousands of anecdotes to tell…

                    1. It sure is!
                      Yes, it’s difficult to break moulds these days.
                      I have many many many anecdotes.
                      I’ve been writing. them out…possibly for a memoir book., “Take Me To Honeyland”.

                      Honeyland is the name of the camp where hair, make-up, wardrobe and the actors’ dressing rooms are stationed.

                      Anyway, I get into it every once in awhile, but then sometimes it feels like I’m living my life over again. At that point I stop, because I have a new life.

                      The only possibility of the memoir being part of my future would be $$$ to help with the future.
                      xxx

  30. Can you imagine, I failed art once in junior high. To this day I still can’t even colour in the lines. Sadly, I am no artist, but merely a creative writer, lol. I have no idea! 🙂 🙂 ❤ 😁🤣🥰💜💚

    1. LOLOLOL!!! Debby!
      You are funny!
      Hey, we all possess a talent. It’s a matter of discovering it!
      ❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹❦🌹

        1. Aww… Thank you! Here’s the rub!
          I wanted to be a singer. Hahaha!
          “You can’t always get what you want
          But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
          You get what you need” – Rolling Stones
          🙂 ❤ xoxo

          1. Just wow! I wanted to be a singer too, and I did that for a bit in my very younger years! – Not the Stones but . . . lol ❤ xox ❤

  31. I couldn’t tell at all, but after I read your comment to Merril, I went back and looked at them again. Still couldn’t tell. Lol. That was fun though. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great summer, Resa. Happy August!

    1. Lol!

      I am having a fab summer, although it’s slipping by at the speeeeeeeed of sound.
      Hope yours is a groove, too! xx

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