The Times They Are A-Changin'
- Title
- The Times They Are A-Changin'
- Creator
- Eduardo Kobra is a Brazilian artist. He was born August 27th, 1975, and at the early age of 12 he started to paint walls in the streets of Sao Paulo. Throughout all his murals he uses bright and vibrant colors while keeping true to a kaleidoscope theme. His early works were all done in Brazil and it was not until 2011 he traveled to France to make is first mural outside his home country. In his murals Kobra generally focuses on a notable figure from the past to give them a tribute and live on their story forever. These are are enormous murals; the biggest one, “Etnias,” spans 32,300 square feet.
- Date
- Date of completion: September 8, 2015
- Description
- Kobra has kept his signature kaleidoscopic effect for this mural as he does for all his murals. The triptych composition creates a visual timeline to depict Bob Dylan in the three stages of his career over the five story 150 feet long piece. The size of it transforms Bob Dylan from a private figure to a public icon for anyone that passes by downtown Minneapolis. It’s meant to ensure everyone can see this piece. The kaleidoscope effect uses bold geometric patterns like the lines and diamonds we see on this piece. These intersecting lines from the background look like patchwork. Additionally, Kobra used bright and vibrant colors to contrast monochrome portraits to emphasize the tension between individuality and cultural diversity. The guitar being in the middle is to display the transition in Bob Dylan's Career, however Kobra thoughtfully adds a monotone line through the middle of it. He does this to display the guitar as a part of Bob Dylan for his entire career, not just part of it.
- Subject
- Kobra created this mural to depict the journey of Bob Dylan from a young folk singer to a global Icon. This Five story mural is done in Minneapolis as Bob Dylan spent his early adulthood there and was also born in Duluth. Before he came the world-renowned pop star we know today, he was “young man serenading Dinkytown coffee shops” (Minneapolis). This local folk singer stage of his life is depicted on the first picture of him. The other two depict the last two stages of his career, them being a rock star and then an elder statesman of the music scene. The guitar is thoughtfully positioned to represent the Bob Dylan's transformation from a local folk singer to global Icon. The guitar was his instrument of choice, and it is an anchor of his legacy, reminding others the anyone can cause cultural shifts and inspire generations, even with music. Additional this mural was done in Minneapolis to reflect the city’s deep cultural ties to music and social change. Bob Dylan symbolizes the state's contribution to global culture, while the vibrant colors and style from Kobra connects Bob Dylan's local heritage to international street art. The specific location of this mural being downtown broadens the accessibility of art to residents and tourists alike.
- Rights
- Rights: Artist: (Eduardo Kobra); Researcher: (Logan McGeary)
- Source
- Bob Dylan’s Roots in Minneapolis Minnesota. (n.d.). Meet Minneapolis. Retrieved May
30,2023, from https://www.minneapolis.org/bob-dylans-roots-in-minneapolis/
Braga, B. (2021, June 4). Eduardo Kobra: The Brazilian Man Behind The World’s Most
Stunning Murals. Travel Noire. https://travelnoire.com/eduardo-kobra-brazilian-man-behind-stunning-murals
street art bio. “Eduardo Kobra Biography & Artwork | Artists | Street Art
Bio.” Www.streetartbio.com, 2020, www.streetartbio.com/artists/about-eduardo-kobra-biography/.
Files
Collection
Citation
Eduardo Kobra is a Brazilian artist. He was born August 27th, 1975, and at the early age of 12 he started to paint walls in the streets of Sao Paulo. Throughout all his murals he uses bright and vibrant colors while keeping true to a kaleidoscope theme. His early works were all done in Brazil and it was not until 2011 he traveled to France to make is first mural outside his home country. In his murals Kobra generally focuses on a notable figure from the past to give them a tribute and live on their story forever. These are are enormous murals; the biggest one, “Etnias,” spans 32,300 square feet., “The Times They Are A-Changin',” Museum in the streets: Murals in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, accessed June 7, 2026, https://mspmurals.omeka.net/items/show/154.