Graffiti is a form of urban artistic expression that emerged on the streets of New York in the 1970s. Since then, graffiti has spread worldwide, becoming a popular way for street artists to leave their marks and messages on urban landscapes. This controversial art form was initially seen as vandalism, but over the years it has gained recognition and respect as a legitimate art form. In this article, we will explore the evolution of graffiti from its inception to the present day, highlighting the key artists and movements that have shaped this form of expression over time.
Discover the four most common types of graphite currently used around the world.
In the world of graffiti, there are four types that are most common and widely used today: tags, throw-ups, pieces, and murals.
Tags are quick and simple signatures , usually made with a marker or a can of spray paint. They are used by artists to mark their territory and stand out in different locations around the city.
Throw -ups are slightly more elaborate graffiti, consisting of large, rounded letters, often filled with one or two colors. They are done quickly, but with more care than tags.
The pieces are more elaborate and detailed graffiti, which generally take longer to create. They can include characters, shadows, and lighting effects, making them true works of art on the streets.
Finally, murals are large-scale graffiti, often commissioned by companies or public bodies to beautify urban spaces. They can depict social or political themes, or simply be aesthetically pleasing.
These four types of graffiti are just a small sample of the diversity and creativity we can find on the streets around the world. Graffiti has evolved over time, becoming an increasingly recognized and appreciated form of artistic expression.
What communication is present in urban graffiti?
Urban graffiti is a form of artistic expression that emerged on the streets of big cities, initially as a form of protest and protest. The communication present in graffiti goes far beyond the words or images painted on walls. It conveys messages, ideas, and feelings that are often not expressed verbally.
Graffiti is a form of visual communication that engages directly with the public, whether to draw attention to a social, political, or environmental cause, or simply to beautify urban spaces. Through the colors, shapes, and symbols present in their works, artists are able to convey their messages in a striking and often provocative way.
Furthermore, graffiti also serves as a form of art democratization, taking artistic expression beyond museums and galleries and making it accessible to a wider audience. The streets become veritable open-air galleries, where anyone can appreciate and reflect on the works of urban artists.
Graffiti is an artistic expression that is intrinsically linked to urban life and that continues to evolve and reinvent itself, remaining a relevant and impactful form of expression today.
Evolution of graffiti: transformations over time in urban art.
The history of graffiti dates back to ancient times, when ancient civilizations left their marks on cave walls. However, it was in the 1960s in the United States that graffiti as we know it today began to gain prominence. Initially associated with hip-hop culture and marginalized communities, graffiti was seen as a form of artistic expression and resistance.
Over time, graffiti has undergone several transformations, becoming one of the most popular forms of urban art. Artists from all over the world began using the streets as a canvas, creating colorful and impactful murals. With the advancement of technology, new techniques and materials have been incorporated into graffiti, allowing for a greater diversity of styles and approaches.
Currently, graffiti is recognized as a legitimate art form, being exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. Renowned artists , such as Banksy and Os Gêmeos, have achieved international fame for their work on the streets. Graffiti has also become a powerful tool for social and political awareness, addressing issues such as inequality, racism, and the environment.
In short, the evolution of graffiti over time reflects changes in society and urban culture. From a marginalized and subversive form, graffiti has transformed into a respected and influential form of artistic expression. The legacy of graffiti continues to inspire artists and challenge established norms, proving that art can be anywhere, including on the streets.
What is the main purpose of graffiti in contemporary urban society?
Graffiti has played a significant role in contemporary urban society, serving as a form of artistic expression that transcends traditional barriers. Since its emergence on the streets of New York in the 1970s, graffiti has evolved to become a way to give a voice to marginalized communities and convey political and social messages.
One of the main purposes of graffiti in contemporary urban society is to promote inclusion and diversity . Through artwork on city walls, graffiti artists are able to bring to light issues of representation and give visibility to minority groups that are often neglected by society.
Furthermore, graffiti also has the power to transform public spaces and make them more vibrant and interesting. Often, graffiti artworks are used to revitalize degraded urban areas, bringing color and life to places that were previously abandoned and neglected.
Another important purpose of graffiti in contemporary urban society is to question the status quo and challenge established norms. Often, graffiti artists use their work to criticize the political and social system, drawing attention to injustices and inequalities that permeate society.
Through this form of artistic expression, graffiti artists are able to give a voice to marginalized communities and convey important messages to society as a whole.
History of Graffiti: From the Beginning to the Present
The history of modern graffiti begins in the 70s and 80s during the famous "Die Hard" era in New York between 1976 and 1988. However, graffiti pioneers appeared many years earlier and spread throughout the world.
Graffiti is an urban art form that consists of writing on public spaces (walls, floors, columns, etc.). Some people interpret this activity as vandalism, while graffiti artists consider it art.
The truth is that, in most cases, whether graffiti stains or decorates a mural is subjective.
The practice of graffiti has been around for millennia, from prehistoric times to modern times, with techniques and tools that have evolved to this day.
Graffiti throughout history
Prehistoric graffiti
The activity of painting or drawing on any type of wall has diverse and ancient origins. Since prehistoric times, drawings and paintings have existed in caves and caverns; this was known as "rock art."
Ancient Egyptian graffiti
In ancient Egypt, paintings were predominantly symbolic; these were mainly carried out in tombs and temples, so it was observed that the main themes displayed in them were religious and funerary.
Graffiti in ancient Rome
During the time of the Roman Empire, graffiti was common in cities like Rome, Ostia, and Pompeii. Graffiti conveyed all sorts of messages at the time, including:
Sexual messages: offers that offer services to other people with the simple intention of being offensive.
– Propaganda messages: Promoting gladiatorial fights, athletic integrity and hunting.
-Inscriptions: People used to write their names to indicate that they were in a certain place (a practice now very common).
-Other: Philosophical messages, love, politics and even some nonsense.
19th century graffiti (19th century)
A famous graffiti was the Gulston Street Graffiti (or Gulston Street graffiti) belonging to Jack the Ripper.
Although this mysterious inscription has never been photographed, although it was written on the wall (the Metropolitan Police ordered it to be erased immediately), a copy of it is kept.
20th century graffiti (XNUMXth century)
Kilroy was here is another mysterious graffiti that appeared during World War II. Theories about this graffiti varied and were seen on places like the Berlin Wall and even on the Browning .50 Caliber (or M2) machine gun.
The truth is that the origin of this graffiti is in the United States and its author is James Kilroy, who supervised the rivets on the steel sheets and used this graphite to paint the sheets that had already been revised.
Graffiti today
Nowadays, graffiti is practiced practically anywhere in the world; but it is more common to see this urban art mainly in cosmopolitan cities (such as Buenos Aires, Paris, Rome, London, New York, etc.).
Some of this graffiti has very sophisticated designs (usually “graffiti” paid for by public sector organizations), while others are simply acts of vandalism.
The materials used for graffiti
Both the materials and techniques used for graffiti have evolved over time.
In prehistoric times, where painting was common inside caves, the main instrument for painting was one's own hands.
Although animal hair was used as a brush on some occasions, it was not very often available to accomplish the task, so using twigs (mostly dry or burnt) and hollow reeds (to blow the paint into) was another option.
Pigment powder was used as paint along with resin and charcoal. The colors weren't very varied; a maximum of three are used to paint a piece of graffiti.
Later, the paint used in graffiti would evolve; the basic natural pigments would then be mixed with other materials (such as egg whites) and dissolved in water.
But not all graffiti was always created based on painting; in fact, the word itself refers to "an inscription scratched on the wall." Chisel and hammer graffiti were also part of this theme.
Currently, the material used for graffiti is liquid or solid paint that the market provides and which has evolved over the years.
As for tools, although a brush is sometimes used, the most popular instrument is the spray.
This cylindrical container stores the ink in a liquid state and ejects it in vaporized form through a device on the container itself (located at the top of the cylinder).
References
- Claudia Kozak (1991). Clean walls say nothing: a graffiti book. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Livros de Quirquincho.
- José Bueno. (2009). Graffiti and portrait. Madrid, Spain: Vision Books.
- Jesus de Diego. (2000) Graffiti, Word and Image: A Study of Expression in Urban Cultures at the End of the Twentieth Century. Indiana, United States: The Frontier Books.
- Gonzalo Aristizábal. (1999). The graffiti book. Colombia: black sheep.
- Norman Mailer (2009). The graffiti book. New York, United States: Harper business div Harper Collins.