Graffiti Culture by Lisa Whittington by Lisa Whittington
Culture is the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization;
Graffiti is pictures or writing placed on surfaces, usually outside walls and sidewalks, usually without the permission of the owner.
Graffiti culture has evolved into a (still mostly illegal) art form of its own, using spray cans of paint, with a modern history, master practitioners, and categories of style.
Some artists, sociologists and writers even regard graffiti as a sophisticated art form, calling it 'spray can art'. As one graffiti artist commented, graffiti has been with us since our early ancestors painted on cave walls. If beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, nowhere is this more evident than in the response to graffiti. To many graffiti is just ugly, anti-social daubs, while for their practitioners they represent an expression of individuality in an impersonal world.
The Language of Graffiti Culture
“ Writer” = A person who creates graffiti
“ Toy” = A beginner graffiti artist
“ Burner” = A well executed piece of graffiti displaying style and emotion.
“ Crew” = A group of graffiti writers who feel some sort of cohesion and like to go writing together. A graffiti artist can be part of more than one crew. Benefits in being part of a crew is a pooling of ideas and supplies.
Misconceptions of Graffiti Culture
All Graffiti is created by Gangs: While graffiti crews could be considered gangs, they are not the kind that sell crack and walk around with uzis. In large cities there is probably a fair amount (maybe 10%) of "graffiti" that is done by gangs, but it is very different in style. Graffiti artists consider Gang graffiti done in poor taste, and done strictly for marking terrain. Question for thought: Were impressionist, expressionist, fauvist, or other art groups considered gangs?
Graffiti is created by minorities and poor people: Graffiti is created by people of all color. Suburban, white kids, and rich kids are just as much a part of graffiti crews and go to the city to create graffiti.
Graffiti is and always will be illegal: By and large, yes. In the United States, graffiti is an illegal act but there are still "legal walls" -- places where writers can go to do murals without fear of being arrested. Laws vary in other countries. In general, it is illegal almost everywhere.
...and yes, women do graffiti too.
Where Graffiti is Legal Hosier Lane, Melbourne, Australia This famous spot is popular among tourists and artists alike. Located in the southern edge of Melbourne, Hosier Lane allows for all kinds of street art.
Where Graffiti is Legal Venice, California, United States The Venice Graffiti Pit is world famous for being an open and creative space for street artists. It is not uncommon to see an artist in the middle of working on a mural her. Artwork gets painted over by other artists in rapid succession.
Where Graffiti is Legal Taipei, Taiwan Many artists take advantage of Taiwan’s legal gray areas posting their work all over the city. Police officers openly admit to not getting involved unless there is an owner complaint or property damage.
Where Graffiti is Legal Warsaw, Poland-- Topiel Street provides ample wall space for writers and stencil art. No hassle from the local police
Where Graffiti is Legal Queens, New York, United States Dubbed 5Pointz, this full city block in the Queens neighborhood of Long Island City is almost entirely covered by graffiti. Artists who are interested in putting up their work here must first be reviewed and granted permission by curator Meres One.
Where Graffiti is Legal
Legal tagging sites are sprinkled all over France.
Many other places like Prague, Switzerland, and Germany have legal sites where graffiti is encouraged.
All graffiti is not motivated by a simple desire for self advertisement, a demand for attention...
Graffiti Can Change Things
... some are an advertisement for a cause - a propaganda tool.
Many anti-smokers, critics of the consumer society - and even judges - are supportive of the efforts of BUGA UP (Billboard-Utilising Graffitists Against Unhealthy Promotions) in defacing billboard advertising for what they consider to be harmful products.
B.U.G.A. U.P. Formed in 1978 in Austrailia by a group of health professionals and others disgusted at the prevalence of tobacco advertising, Billboard-Utilizing Graffitists Against Unhealthy Promotions (B.U.G.A. U.P.) rapidly made their mark on hoardings around the nation. By cleverly revising advertising slogans and disrupting tobacco sponsored events, the group revealed the true cost of tobacco company deception. Having racked up numerous fines and arrests over its 10 year existence, B.U.G.A. U.P. formally wound up in 1994 as federal and state governments finally began to take action to ban tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines, on billboards, television and radio.
B.U.G.A.U.P Graffiti
B.U.G.A.U.P Graffiti
B.U.G.A.U.P Graffiti
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIxScJ5rlY John Mayer “Waiting on the World to Chan g e”
Now... Let’s Talk...
What makes a piece graffiti? Style? Who did it? Legality? Technique? Placement? Content?
