If you can’t say it, spray it
(permission or commissioned art only!)
Rosemorel Middle School
Mr. Cobbs
What Is Graffiti?
What Is Graffiti?
•The word actually derives from the Italian word “graffito,” which translates as
“scratch.” During the prehistoric era, man would essentially “scratch” images onto
cave walls. During the Roman Empire, warriors would “scratch” images on the
walls of the buildings in their conquered cities. During World War II, both the
Nazis and anti-Nazi groups used graffiti as a popular propaganda medium.
•Many speculate that it was in fact, during World War II that the use of graffiti
began its radical shift to a lower art form. Many began using graffiti for tagging or
for vandalism, writing derogatory names and slander in public areas. Gang culture
thrived, and members began marking public property with gang names, tags and
titles.
What Is Graffiti?
•Soon after, the art form improved, and graffiti moved out of the insular
gang culture and into popular culture. Young artists found relief in the new
medium as it offered a relevant, creative new way to express themselves. Because
street art wasn’t part of an academic institution, there were no rules or
boundaries. The artists had poetic license and absolute freedom to create their
own unique style and form.
•While many now regard street art as a legitimate new art form, others still see it
as pure vandalism. In fact, in most countries, it is still illegal—hence the reason it
is often referred to as “underground art.” Artists will create their works at night,
hiding from the authorities. Many street artists have gone as far as to keep their
identities anonymous, using pseudonyms in lieu of their names.
What Is Graffiti?
What Is Graffiti?
•Probably the most well-known artist is “Banksy,” This man has gone on to not
only achieve wide acclaim for his street art, but for his paintings, books, and films.
Banksy infuses his work with social and political commentary, often employing a
satirical wit and dark humor to make his point. His trademark stenciling technique
has inspired many copy-cats, yet none have proven to have such original content
or technical fluency as Banksy himself. Banksy’s work has become so popular that
his alias is practically a household name. His works have popped up around the
world: Australia, the United States, France, Spain, and even Palestine.
•The art world has transitioned into a new realm of aesthetic freedom and
unrestricted style. The general public has become more tolerant and even more
supportive of graffiti art, and there have even been exhibits and galleries
dedicated to the form.
What Is Graffiti?
What Is Graffiti?
Why Do Artist Graffiti?
•Graffiti is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed
illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.
•Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and it has
existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient
Greece, and the Roman Empire.
•In modern times, paint (particularly spray paint) and marker pens have become
the most commonly used graffiti materials.
Tags
Basic Tag
More Complex Throw Up
Throw Up
Blockbuster
Wildstyle Tag
A “Piece” (short for masterpiece)
Vandalism vs. Art
Vandalism vs. Art
•George C. Stowers wrote that based on aesthetic criteria, graffiti has to be
considered an art form. He makes a distinction between simple tags and more
complicated pieces, stating that tags have little aesthetic appeal and probably
should not be considered art. However, larger pieces require planning and
imagination and contain artistic elements like color and composition. Stowers
provides the example of wildstyle, or the calligraphic writing style of interlocking
letters typical of graffiti, to show the extent of artistic elements that are present in
these works.
Sometimes Graffiti can be informative or
even funny, but it’s still illegal.
Hilarious…but still illegal.
What The Law Says
19 year old Seth M. King
Better known as Graffiti Artist “SEED”
Columbus, OH resident
•1 year in jail for 13+ counts of Graffiti
•200 Hours of Community Service
•He must scrub his Graffiti off of the buildings.
*Normally, First time offenders get 10 days in jail. SEED Was not a first time
offender.
Your Opinion Matters
Graffiti costs the city and business owners tens of thousands of dollars to clean
up. Just last year Columbus, OH set aside $500,000 just for the Graffiti problem.
Figures from a variety of cities across the U.S. suggest that graffiti cleanup alone
costs taxpayers about $1-3 per person each year. For smaller communities the
amount dedicated to graffiti cleanup annually may be less than $1 per person.
•The judge who sentenced SEED back in 2011 said, "Graffiti is not an art, it's
vandalism“.
•What do you think about that statement?
•Is Graffiti art or still Vandalism in your eyes?
•Should Graffiti be considered a legitimate art form? Is so why?
•If someone came in the middle of the night and painted a beautiful mural on the
side of your house would you let it stay there?
Lesson 1: Now lets do some ABCs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psZqSr5MEjM
Lesson 2: Making a Throw Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yEfBQvJtMU
Grand River Creative Corridor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLvs7WxOk_A
The GRCC Outdoor Gallery is a Diego Rivera “Detroit Industry” fresco inspired fine art
contribution to the GRCC project. “The Detroit Industry fresco cycle was conceived by
Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (1886–1957) as a tribute to the city’s manufacturing base
and labor force of the 1930s…Rivera was a Marxist who believed that art belonged on
public walls rather than in private galleries.” The GRCC artists are no Marxists, however
they share similar beliefs with Rivera regarding public art. 10 artists and craftsmen
created an outdoor visual art experience that is open for any and all to see. Rivera
illustrated the culture of Detroit in the 1930s. The GRCC has illustrated what is occurring
now and the future aspirations for the state of the city.
Founder of GRCC: Derek Weaver
GRCC Outdoor Gallery Curator: Sydney G. James
Contributing Artists and Craftsmen: Sydney G. James, Clifton Jamaal Perry, Christopher
Batten, Sabrina Nelson, Halima Cassells, Tanecia Nunlee, Alonzo Edwards, Lamar
Landers, and Deandre Norman.
Detroit Artist Sydney G James
Detroit Artist Halima Cassells
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvu4_jsCvVA
How does this make you feel?
Lesson 3: Uplifting the Community