GRAFFITIStreet Art vs. Vandalism

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What is Graffiti?• When people today talk about

graffiti it is most frequentlythought of with some negativeconnotation. Some consider itto be synonymous withvandalism or even propertydestruction.

• But for all intents andpurposes graffiti has existedsince prehistoric times andhas also given us greatinsight into more recentcultures and civilizations aswell.

Cave Painting in Argentina

Graffiti comes from the Italian word graffere, which means

'to scratch on a surface'. This 'scratching' can be doneon any surface with any implement, permanent or not.Today we have come to know graffiti as 'illicit applicationof a medium to the surface'. These media can includespray paint, pencil, stickers, charcoal, etc…

What is Graffiti?

Graffiti is a form of urban art that has allowed people fordecades to express themselves, normally againstpolitical and social conformity.

Graffiti is symbolic of rebellion from working class,ethnic minority and disadvantaged groups who are themain victims of the processes of globalisation andcultural development.

However, graffiti has gained more positive connotationsas it is equally symbolic of uniqueness, culture andsocial expression which are becoming more evident inthe recent ‘hipster’ trends.

What is Graffiti?

Graffiti as Vandalism

• Although its artistic merits can't be denied, graffiti isstill in fact a form of vandalism. Artists tag both publicand private property, which becomes costly for taxpayers and business and property owners.

• The purpose is focused on the writer gainingrecognition by tagging a pseudo-name in as manylocations as possible.

• Graffiti vandalism or tagging is a community problemthat can lower property values and encourage morevandalism and other types of crime.It suggests thatthe neighbourhood doesn’t care and isn’t able to copewith the problem. Tagging left intact merely attractsmore tagging.

Graffiti as Vandalism in A Coruña

Graffiti as Vandalism in A Coruña

Graffiti as Vandalism in A Coruña

Graffiti as Art Usually the defining factor on whether or not Graffiti art is

considered legal is based on permission.

Street art follows certain rules of which respect is the most important. If an artist paints a piece, a ‘tag’, a ‘throw-up’ or a ‘bomb’ on a wall, no one else can paint on it. This means that if a shop owner pays for graffiti on his blind, he will not have to worry again about ‘spray-can vandalism’.

Business owners are opting to join their enemy, and in doing so have created an urban fashion. Clothing stores, hairdressers, pubs and restaurants are the driving forces behind this alternative decoration, which they say also helps to attract customers.

Graffiti as Art in A Coruña

Graffiti as Art in A Coruña

Graffiti as Art in A Coruña

Graffiti as Art in A Coruña

Graffiti as Art in A Coruña

Referenceshttp://www.museumofthecity.org/project/graffiti-art-or-vandalism/ http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-graffiti-definition-history-types.htmlhttp://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall07/Sanchez/vandalism.htmlhttp://theprotocity.com/graffiti-socio-politically-expressive-gentrification-device/http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/living/graffiti-me/

Thanks!CPR Plurilingüe La Grande Obra de Atocha

A Coruña - SPAIN

C/. Baltasar Pardal VIdal, 115001 A CORUÑA

Telfs.: 981 201 785 / 981 222 542Fax: 981 212 731

www.lagrandeobradeatocha.com