Is graffiti art? Or vandalism? - Kelly Wall

Summary

Graffiti, a form of public expression that spans centuries, raises ongoing questions about its nature: Is it art or vandalism? From ancient Roman inscriptions and Mayan carvings to modern urban spray-painting, graffiti has always straddled rebellion and creativity. Initially linked to subversion and rebellion, graffiti evolved alongside countercultures and political movements. Today, its association with both destruction and artistic expression is blurred, especially with the rise of graffiti unions, art galleries, and commercial appropriation. The debate over ownership, value, and acceptability continues, as graffiti artists challenge conventional notions of public space and artistic legitimacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graffiti has been a form of public expression for thousands of years, from ancient Rome to the Mayans.
• 😀 Graffiti can serve as a medium for identity, art, empowerment, and politics, but it is often linked with destruction.
• 😀 The debate surrounding graffiti—whether it's art or vandalism—has existed for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome.
• 😀 In Pompeii, graffiti was used by ordinary citizens for personal messages, political slogans, and even magic spells.
• 😀 The term 'vandalism' was coined after the barbaric Vandals destroyed art during the French Revolution, which later influenced the view of graffiti.
• 😀 Many graffiti artists stay underground to avoid punishment and to create a sense of identity and territory.
• 😀 Graffiti's emergence in New York City and Philadelphia during the 1960s was marked by the use of coded labels, blending celebrity and anonymity.
• 😀 The concept of ownership in graffiti is central; artists challenge public property norms and reclaim public spaces like subway cars and billboards.
• 😀 Political movements have historically used graffiti for spreading messages, with notable examples during WWII and on the Berlin Wall.
• 😀 As graffiti evolved from counterculture to mainstream acceptance, it became both part of galleries and a tool for marketers, blurring the lines between rebellion and commercial art.

Q & A

What key themes does graffiti address in cities?

Graffiti can make statements about identity, art, empowerment, and politics, while also being associated with destruction.

How long has graffiti been around and what historical periods show its existence?

Graffiti has been around for thousands of years, with examples from the 1st century BCE in Rome and ancient Mayan cultures.

What did graffiti represent in Pompeii?

In Pompeii, graffiti was often used for writing magic spells, expressing unrequited love, promoting political campaigns, and supporting gladiators.

How did the concept of vandalism become associated with graffiti?

Graffiti became linked to vandalism in the 5th century when the Vandals invaded Rome. Later, the term 'vandalism' was coined during the French Revolution, associated with defacing art.

Why do some graffiti artists stay underground?

Many graffiti artists stay underground to avoid legal retribution or punishment. Others do so to create a sense of community and mark their territory.

What role did tags play in the development of graffiti in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, graffiti artists, known as 'taggers', used coded labels to trace their movements and allude to their origins in New York City and Philadelphia.

How is the concept of ownership central to graffiti's history?

Ownership of public space is central to graffiti, as artists challenge boundaries by reclaiming public property such as subway cars, billboards, and even zoo animals.

How did political movements use graffiti during World War II?

During World War II, both the Nazi Party and resistance groups used graffiti to spread propaganda on public walls.

What significance did graffiti on the Berlin Wall have?

Graffiti on the Berlin Wall symbolized the contrast between repression and unrestricted public expression, with one side showing state-controlled messages and the other offering more freedom of speech.

Has graffiti become more accepted in mainstream society over time?

Yes, graffiti has straddled the line between underground and mainstream culture, with graffiti unions forming in the 1970s and some artists being admitted into art galleries, leading to collaborations with brands and museums.