Graffiti: Urban Art and Expression
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsGraffiti: Urban Art and Expression
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsGraffiti - A Form of Urban Art
Graffiti is 'a means of social expression and specific communication,'
usually carried out by young people, on a certain support. It is done with various
colors and with traits that identify it, differentiating it from other visual expressions.
For a long time seen as an irrelevant topic or simple offense,
Currently, graffiti has taken on another status. It is seen as a form of expression.
inserted in the field of visual arts, in particular, street art or urban art. However
There are still those who disagree and confuse graffiti with tagging.
The world of graffiti is a separate dimension. For me, the walls have a
own spatial dimension. This country still has a very closed mindset in
in relation to the art of graffiti,” says Doc, a writer. Graffiti is situated between two visions:
to society, which refers to it as an act of vandalism and/or an attack on
heritage, and that of the graffiti, which defend it as an expression of alternative art,
as a counterculture, where creativity manifests itself, sometimes stimulated by
critique of social reality or, simply, by the desire to 'give more life' to spaces
urban
In the initial phase, the cities were invaded by a profusion of calligraphies.
indecipherable, made with a marker - the tags, which mean nothing other than "I passed through here."
I exist. Slowly, the writers began introducing colors, new styles and
they sought to adopt new techniques for the realization of graffiti. In the years
following, motivated by competition, the writers seek new solutions to have the
they gathered in crews to be able to paint
better and in areas with more urban visibility. Quickly, this new way of
the expression developed in the direction of artistic works with a component
increasingly defined. Thus, contemporary graffiti can be seen as
a bold way of revealing the creativity of graffiti. Being a manifestation
Artistically, graffiti is associated with various musical movements like Hip Hop,
where the drawings reflect the reality of the streets. It is worth noting that graffiti needs
authorization from the owner of the wall or space, whereas graffiti which is
carried out without legality and with the intent to vandalize. However, as Biz refers to, "we
let's take ownership of the spot and imagination does the work.
Since 2008, there has been a greater intervention by young people in the public space than in
past. For two reasons: first, the exacerbation of economic problems and
social networks make people feel a greater need to express themselves in space
public; and, secondly, because there is a climate of greater tolerance towards
intervention in public space, which ceased to be a phenomenon confined to a
certain youth culture.
STREET ART AS PUBLIC ART
Graphite, as a predecessor and precursor of street art, is also a form.
primitiva of Public Art. "The fact of working with pseudonyms gives us a freedom
"without limits," emphasizes Biz. These ephemeral forms of communication must be read,
processed and appreciated quickly as they can be cleaned off at any moment.
wall. We are faced with a movement in constant change and creative energy
unstopabble in a global flow of connection and communication.
Public Art is considered to be that which is practiced outdoors, as opposed to
that develops in studios and ateliers and is showcased in museums and galleries.
So, graffiti and street art are Public Art because they are expressions of activities
artistic works that use the audience as the genesis and the subject for analysis. "We
we seek to communicate with the public in the city, we take their aspirations and their
"concerns," says Doc. Street art analyzes current, controversial, social, and cultural themes.
politicians; at other times it assumes only a playful character.
Urban Art is part of contemporary visual culture, having evolved and
spread all over the world, much thanks to the new information technologies. "But we
writers prefer the walls because the messages reach more people," says Rame.
Artists like Fairey and Banksy have contributed to elevating Urban Art, trying
change the public's perception of this form of art, from vandalism to a
an artistic movement worth preserving.