Google is bringing street art from around the world to online fans with the launch of the new "Google Street Art Project."
Based on Google Maps and Google Earth, the project displays graffiti hotspots from all over the globe on one site, with links to exhibits by particular artists.
Using Street View, users can even explore graffitied buildings that are closed to the public or no longer exist -- a way of preserving street art through technology.
Featured artists include the elusive graffiti star Banksy, the French painter Ladislas Kijno and American artist Shepard Fairey.
Projects documented range from 5Pointz in New York, a 200,000-square-foot factory known as "the world's premiere open air aerosol museum" to more socio-political exhibits in Chile's Open Air Museums in La Pincoya and San Miguel.
The concept will bring together more than 5,000 images and details of around 100 exhibitions and is part of the Google Cultural Institute initiative launched to promote international culture.
"Here today, gone tomorrow," wrote Lucy Schwartz, Program Manager, Google Cultural Institute on Google's blog.
"The transient nature of street art means it can be at risk of being scrubbed out and lost forever to its legions of fans.
"But long after the paint has faded from the walls, technology can help preserve street art, so people can discover it wherever and whenever they like."
