Power Politics & Glory

GRAFFITI

Lady PinkRebellion is a healthy thing. It keeps our civilization from becoming stagnant. It keeps the art world from becoming stagnant. It questions the status quo and it keeps it on its toes. Why should art be sanctioned by permission, inside a neat little gallery or museum or something? Why cant art just be the expression of humans wherever the hell they please?

Quick History of GraffitiThe word graffiti is actually plural of graffito and was first used in the late 18th, early 19th centuries when studies of Pompeii discovered wall markings.These markings were described as an uncultured art form and as the product of a pure urge to create.

Quick History of Graffiti

The height of graffiti in Pompeii was AD 14-68 during Neros reign.In the Roman world, graffiti was perhaps the only way to talk back to the oppressive authority.

Quick History of GraffitiAfter the Romantic Era interest in graffiti as pure creative act, the Victorians returned to real art, losing interest in art that was produced in the streets.A negative attitude toward graffiti only began by the end of the 19th century because it started to be associated with the lower level elements of society.

Quick History of GraffitiThe authors of graffiti were perceived to be solely from the working class while those who dominated cultural production were the elite of society.

Quick History of Graffiti

This reflected the notion: Those who have freedom of the press are those who own a press.

BrassaPhotographer Brassa brought graffiti back to the publics attention through his photographic documentation of graffiti in the 1930s.

BrassaBrassa was a friend of famous artists Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Henry Matisse. Picasso, when he was young, admitted to copying ideas from graffiti on walls.

TaggingTagging is a term used for applying ones name or pseudonym (fake name) with spray paint to trains (originally) or any public place.Pseudonym + Address #Example: Bzed335

TaggingTagging started as an act done just while trains stopped then moved on. The train leaving the train leaving the city symbolized a type of freedom for the artist who was stuck in the city with poor living conditions or the inability to travel. His name was free and could travel.

TaggingTagging began to become more elaborate and competitive as artists tagged trains that were parked overnight, giving the artist more time to paint.

Nature of GraffitiGraffiti is Addictive: destructive and creative at the same time.Placement of work is highly valued.Documentation of the work is equally important.Graffiti is a male dominated activity due to the dirty, cold, and dangerous orientation of the act. Lady Pink was the first female artist to leave a lasting impact on the graffiti world.Graffiti writing becomes almost calligraphic and an expression of personality.

SituationistsSituationists wanted to break down the barriers between art, politics, and other forms of social oppression.Situationists inspired people to decorate streets with subverting (anti-government) posters.

Evolution of Graffiti

Evolution of GraffitiThis form of light graffiti is:non-destructive,it isnt permanent, and, looks very similar to video billboard displays on highways.What about REVERSE GRAFFITI?

A Type of PrintmakingSpray painting through a stencil is actually a form of printmaking.The stencil is the mask, and the negative space allows for ink (or paint) to adhere (stick to) the surface.Origins of Tagging = Pseudonym + Address #

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