Graffiti: Street Art or Vandalism?

Summary

Graffiti culture in America traces its roots back to the 1920s when gangsters marked their territory on trains. Philadelphia-born Daryl McRae, known as Cornbread, is credited as the godfather of modern graffiti. In the 1960s, McRae popularized tagging, inspiring a generation of young urban artists. By the 80s, graffiti became intertwined with hip-hop culture and gained mainstream recognition, influencing advertising and art galleries. While many still view graffiti as vandalism, others embrace it as a powerful form of self-expression and social commentary, raising awareness on important socio-political issues in public spaces.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graffiti culture in America began to emerge in the 1920s with gangsters marking territory through train graffiti.
• 😀 Daryl McCrae, aka Cornbread, is often credited as the godfather of modern graffiti in America.
• 😀 In the mid-1960s, Cornbread started tagging public spaces, particularly in correctional facilities, pioneering the tagging culture.
• 😀 Tagging, or defacing public property without authorization, is illegal in America, but McCrae's actions sparked a movement.
• 😀 Graffiti became a form of artistic expression for young urban artists and writers, transforming city landscapes into public canvases.
• 😀 The art reflected the rebellious nature, diverse identities, and carefree beliefs of urban youth in America during the 1970s.
• 😀 In the 1980s, hip-hop artists embraced graffiti as their aesthetic of choice, propelling it into the mainstream.
• 😀 Graffiti influenced advertising and museum/gallery curation, showcasing its growing importance in popular culture.
• 😀 Many Americans still view graffiti as vandalism, with significant taxpayer costs for cleanup efforts.
• 😀 Graffiti has also attracted tourists, with people participating in guided tours of notable graffiti spots across the U.S.
• 😀 Contemporary graffiti artists are raising awareness of socio-political issues through their art, adding layers of meaning to public spaces.

Q & A

What is considered the beginning of graffiti culture in America?

Graffiti culture in America began to emerge in the 1920s when prohibition-era gangsters began painting gang signs on trains to mark their territory.

Who is credited as the godfather of graffiti?

Daryl McCrae, also known as Cornbread, is credited as the godfather of graffiti as we know it today.

What was the first act of graffiti that Daryl McCrae engaged in?

Daryl McCrae began scrawling his name on the walls of a correctional facility in the mid-1960s, which became known as tagging.

Why was Daryl McCrae's act of tagging significant?

His act of tagging defaced public property, but it inspired a generation of young urban artists or writers to use public spaces as their canvas, giving rise to a new American art form.

How did graffiti evolve in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, graffiti art began to change the face of cities, reflecting the rebellious nature, diverse identities, and carefree beliefs of urban youth.

What role did graffiti play in the 1980s hip-hop culture?

During the 1980s, graffiti was embraced by many hip-hop artists as their aesthetic of choice, which helped propel graffiti into the mainstream.

How did graffiti influence advertising and art galleries?

Graffiti influenced advertising by changing how products were marketed, and it also impacted how art galleries and museums curated their collections.

What are the current views on graffiti in America?

Today, many Americans view graffiti as an act of vandalism, costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually to clean up. However, some are drawn to it, with guided tours showcasing the best graffiti spots.

How has graffiti evolved in recent generations?

New generations of artists have elevated graffiti to new heights, creating pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also raise awareness of important socio-political issues.

What is the central debate surrounding public space and graffiti?

The central debate is about who gets to determine what artwork is placed in public spaces, considering graffiti as an expression of the public's voice versus its potential to be seen as vandalism.