WHAT IS A GRAFFITI PIECE?

Summary

In this video, the creator dives into the world of graffiti pieces, explaining their origin, evolution, and the different styles that make them unique. The term 'piece' refers to a complex, creative masterpiece in graffiti culture, evolving from simple tags and throw-ups. Popular styles discussed include straight letter pieces, wild style, 3D graffiti, and blockbuster pieces, each with its own vibe and complexity. The video also touches on the skills and time required to execute these pieces, whether done illegally or legally. The creator invites viewers to share their thoughts on graffiti styles and offers further content on tags and throw-ups.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graffiti pieces are the most evolved and complex form of graffiti, requiring significant time, skill, and creativity.
• 😀 The term 'piece' is short for 'masterpiece' and represents a higher level of graffiti art, coming after tags and throw-ups in the hierarchy.
• 😀 Graffiti pieces began appearing on trains in New York City in the 1980s, with artists seeking to stand out and showcase their style.
• 😀 Graffiti pieces are rare to find, especially when made illegally, due to the considerable time and effort they take.
• 😀 There are several distinct styles of graffiti pieces, with the most popular being straight letter, wild style, 3D, and blockbuster pieces.
• 😀 Straight letter pieces prioritize legibility with clear and clean letter structures, focusing on readability.
• 😀 Wild style pieces are famous for their complex and intricate letterforms, often hard to read but visually impressive.
• 😀 3D graffiti pieces use shading to make the letters appear to pop off the wall, requiring knowledge of lighting and perspective.
• 😀 Blockbuster pieces are large, bold, and simple, using big blocky letters and minimal colors, often done with rollers for speed.
• 😀 Creating a graffiti piece involves planning, starting with a sketch in a black book, then transferring the design to a wall, followed by filling in colors, shading, and outlining.

Q & A

What is the meaning of a 'graffiti piece'?

A 'graffiti piece' is short for 'masterpiece' and represents the most complex and evolved form of graffiti. It takes considerable skill, creativity, and time to execute.

How did graffiti pieces originate?

Graffiti pieces originated in the 1980s in New York City, where artists began moving beyond simple tags and throw-ups to create more intricate designs on trains, aiming to stand out and showcase their unique style.

Why are graffiti pieces rarer compared to tags and throw-ups?

Graffiti pieces require more time, skill, and creativity to execute, making them more complex and rare, especially when done illegally.

What is the difference between a straight letter piece and a wild style piece?

A straight letter piece focuses on clear and legible letter structures, while a wild style piece is characterized by complex, often difficult-to-read letters with intricate angles, spikes, and arrows.

What does wild style graffiti require from artists?

Wild style graffiti requires significant time, skill, and creativity due to its complicated letter forms, which are often hard to read but visually impressive.

What is the significance of 3D graffiti pieces?

3D graffiti pieces aim to make the letters appear to 'pop out' from the wall by using shading, lighting, and perspective techniques. This style adds depth and realism to the artwork.

How are blockbuster pieces different from other graffiti styles?

Blockbuster pieces are large and bold, using simple blocky letters and often a limited color palette. They are designed to be visible from a distance and are typically executed quickly, often with rollers instead of spray cans.

Why do some graffiti artists use rollers instead of spray cans?

Artists use rollers for certain pieces, like blockbuster designs, because they cover large areas quickly, making the process faster and more efficient, especially when using simple colors.

What is the usual process for creating a graffiti piece?

The creation of a graffiti piece typically starts with a sketch in a 'black book.' Artists then outline the design on the wall, fill in the colors, apply shading, and finally outline everything to make the piece stand out.

What is the difference between a graffiti tag and a graffiti throw-up?

A graffiti tag is the simplest form of graffiti, usually just the artist's name written in a stylized form. A throw-up is a more complex form, involving larger letters, often with bubble-style lettering and quick execution.