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Muelle's works become part of Madrid's cultural heritage
Madrid has officially recognised Muelle's legacy, making the legendary street art part of the capital's cultural code
The urban art of Juan Carlos Argüello, known as Muelle, is now part of the city's cultural heritage. Two of his original works, from the family archive, are held in regional collections, reinforcing the importance of graffiti in Madrid's artistic history.
Muelle, a symbol of the “Movida Madrileña”, transformed his recognisable arrow signature from a form of street provocation into a cultural code for the city. The authorities' decision highlights the value of urban art and its influence on the capital's identity.
At the same time, the city has strengthened control of illegal graffiti: fines have risen to as much as 3,000 euros, offenders must personally remove the graffiti under city council supervision, and anti-graffiti patrols monitor compliance with the rules.