Griot Urbano #8 - Graffiti ou Writing

Summary

This video explores the origins and evolution of graffiti within hip-hop culture, tracing its roots from ancient times through the 1970s and 1980s in New York. It highlights key figures like Cornbread and Super Cool 223, as well as pivotal moments such as graffiti's territorial origins, the rise of unique techniques, and its eventual acceptance by galleries. The video also addresses the global spread of graffiti, the debate between graffiti and pixação in Brazil, and the creative evolution of styles like Throw-ups and Wild Style. The speaker emphasizes supporting local artists and the role of graffiti in resisting urban homogenization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graffiti, as part of hip hop culture, originated in the 1970s but the term 'graffiti' dates back to ancient Rome, where it was used for protests and marking territory.
• 😀 The graffiti movement in hip hop was heavily influenced by territorial disputes, with early graf writers marking their names on walls to claim their space.
• 😀 The term 'writing' was used to describe the act of graffiti in the early days, with the first major graffiti work in Philadelphia in 1965 by a writer known as Corn Breed.
• 😀 Graffiti evolved from simple name tags to more complex forms, with Super Cool 223 in 1972 being the first to create elaborate 'masterpieces' on train cars.
• 😀 Graffiti was considered illegal from the start, but its visibility was significantly amplified by its placement on subway trains, which moved through the city, exposing the artwork to a larger audience.
• 😀 In 1974, New York's MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) declared war on graffiti, using 'agent orange' paint to try to erase the works, sparking an intense battle between graffiti artists and authorities.
• 😀 Graffiti grew out of the gang culture in the Bronx, with territorial marking through graffiti being a way for different gangs to claim their areas, which later evolved into a more artistic form of competition.
• 😀 In 1981, galleries in New York started to embrace graffiti as an art form, offering exhibitions and showing it in a new context, blurring the lines between street art and gallery art.
• 😀 Media exposure in 1981, including a special TV feature on graffiti artists like Duroia and Lady Pink, helped propel the graffiti movement into mainstream awareness.
• 😀 The 1980s brought documentaries like 'Style Wars' and films like 'Beat Street,' which highlighted the importance of graffiti in hip hop culture and brought it to a global audience.
• 😀 Graffiti in Brazil has a unique distinction, where 'pixação' (a form of tagging) is often considered a separate, sometimes controversial style, but both graffiti and pixação share similar roots in street art.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'grafite'?

The term 'grafite' comes from ancient Roman times when people wrote or inscribed on walls, primarily for protest, using charcoal. It evolved to describe the form of writing on walls that became part of hip hop culture.

When did graffiti first appear as part of hip hop culture?

Graffiti as part of hip hop culture started to gain prominence in the early 1970s. The movement, however, had roots earlier, with the use of graffiti as a means of marking territory or expressing identity.

Who was one of the earliest pioneers of graffiti writing in New York?

One of the earliest pioneers was Corn Breed, who began writing on walls in Philadelphia in 1965, using aerosol spray paint. His actions helped ignite a writing scene that would later be known as graffiti.

What significant event in 1971 helped the graffiti movement gain attention?

In 1971, a New York Times interview with a young graffiti writer named Taki 183 brought the movement to wider public attention. This interview marked a turning point, giving more visibility to graffiti writing.

How did Super Kool 223 influence the evolution of graffiti?

Super Kool 223 was a significant figure in graffiti, particularly in 1972, when he created the first 'masterpiece' graffiti—an elaborate and colorful piece on a subway train. He also contributed to the creation of the 'fat cap,' which allowed for broader strokes of paint.

Why did the New York City MTA start to crack down on graffiti?

The MTA began cracking down on graffiti in the early 1970s because graffiti on subway trains gained a much larger audience compared to wall murals. The trains traveled across the city, exposing the art to many more people, making it a major form of urban expression and, consequently, a target for suppression.

What role did gangs play in the early development of graffiti?

In the early days, graffiti writing was deeply connected to gang culture and territorial disputes. Graffiti often served as a marker of territory or an assertion of dominance, with individuals tagging their names to claim space or defend their gang’s presence in specific areas.

How did graffiti evolve from a territorial activity to an artistic form?

Over time, the competitive nature of graffiti—driven by territorial disputes—led to the creation of more elaborate and artistic pieces. This evolution was fueled by the desire to outdo others, resulting in more sophisticated and artistic expressions of identity.

What was the significance of 1981 for graffiti in New York?

In 1981, graffiti gained further recognition when art galleries in the Bronx began to embrace street art, hosting exhibitions of graffiti. This allowed graffiti to be seen in a new light, both as an art form and as a reflection of urban culture.

How did the media contribute to the global spread of graffiti?

In 1981, a television special featuring graffiti artists like Duroia and Lady Pink helped to bring more visibility to the movement. Later, the release of the documentary *Style Wars* and the film *Beat Street* in 1984 helped to spread the graffiti culture worldwide, showcasing its influence beyond New York.

What is the difference between 'pichação' and graffiti, particularly in Brazil?

'Pichação' is often considered a distinct practice from graffiti in Brazil, although both share common roots. 'Pichação' is more closely linked to territorial marking and vandalism, while graffiti can be viewed as an artistic form. However, both emerge from similar social and cultural contexts, with the same underlying goals of expression and visibility.

What are some of the key styles within graffiti?

Key graffiti styles include 'throw-ups' (simple and quick designs), 'wild style' (complex, intertwined lettering), and '3D graffiti' (using depth to create a three-dimensional effect). Each style reflects different levels of artistic skill and the evolution of the medium over time.