Graffiti Essay - 1124 Words

| Graffiti is Vandalism, Not Art | | | STUDENT NO: | 16 MARCH 2011 | The thread of this simple essay will centre on the controversy surrounding â€Å"graffiti art†Ã¢â‚¬â€is it art or simply vandalism. The paper will explore the true meaning of graffiti art, characteristics of common graffiti which includes a background history of its evolution in society, the different motives of artists who uses graffiti art, the conclusive facts that stem from my own point of view, and what the future holds for the graffitist. Overall, this paper will explore the culture of graffiti—is it art or vandalism. What image comes into mind when one hears the word, â€Å"graffiti?† From Wikipedia, â€Å"Graffiti† is the name for images or lettering scratched,†¦show more content†¦This type of graffiti uses spray can art, tag art, and aerosol art. They line building sides, subway station walls, subway trains, and billboards. Devon D. Brewer, a sociologist who has studied graffiti extensively, claims that there are four major values in hip hop graffiti: fame, artistic expression, power, and rebellion. (http://www.graffiti.org/faq/graffiti-is-part-of-us.html). The graffiti in its form is an expression of showing endless social and political problems communicated to the public. What truly motivate people to write on walls and for the entire whole world to see? Come to think of it, why not just grab a pen and paper to express them? Several theories have been explored and debated to explain these sides of the graffitist: * Some use graffiti as a form of communication to gain public recognition. Graffitist takes pride in their work with their names and tags included in the designs. They take pleasure in the artistic, creative, and physical expression of their geniuses. And they want the world at their attention. * Others, as from the short history above, express their emotions, feelings, and frustrations with their work and will let the world see of that discontentment. It is an expression of criticism, protest, rejection, or agreement of an ideology. * Some ways, graffiti is a documentation of a group membership or â€Å"gangs† as prevalent in the streetsShow MoreRelated Graffiti Essay948 Words   |  4 Pages GRAFFITI: A VISUAL DIALOUGE Graffiti: term applied to the arrangement of institutionally illicit marks in which there has been an attempt by an individual or group of individuals (usually not professional artists) to display upon a wall or surface that is usually visually accessible to the public. Even if one has never seen graffiti before, a negative image would probably pop into one’s mind after reading this definition. Graffiti is not only a work of art, it also includes the underground cultureRead MoreGraffiti: Art or Vandalism Essay1911 Words   |  8 PagesGraffiti: Art or Vandalism? Sam Cowey Graffiti has been around for more than half a decade and practiced worldwide. However there is debate between whether it is a form of art or vandalism. Graffiti artists’ debate that many do not understand the reason most graffiti artist take the risk of incarceration, fines, injuries, and in some cases death to paint a wall. A graffiti artist can have the simple desire to become recognized, or to create a piece that speaks to their audience as a form ofRead MoreEssay on Graffiti as an Artform1181 Words   |  5 PagesGraffiti as an Artform The value of any message or work of art, whether it is hanging on the wall of a gallery or a subway, lies on the intensity of the artist’s or vandal’s beliefs. Graffiti is an uncertain issue in respect to its virtue. While the voice of the individual must never be lost in a society of shouts growing larger and louder every second; graffiti is such a public medium that its integrity must be of great concern. Graffiti is a vast wasteland of indefinite opinionsRead More Is Graffiti Art? Essay3448 Words   |  14 PagesIs Graffiti Art? Graffiti has loomed between the borders of true art, mindless trash and a way of solely getting your name around. Is Graffiti the everyday scrawlings of misdirected teenagers or the well-laced masterpiece by a keen eye? For years the opinions have changed and shifted. Currently there is not a consensus about whether graffiti can yet be classed as art. Art to some people would be the great works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Bottachelli, Matisse, Van Gough, and Monet butRead MoreGraffiti As A Form Of Art Essay1137 Words   |  5 Pagescalled graffiti and tagging it. Later, people started tagging subways, and everyone wanted to have their own unique tag. So, they started to become creative and become different from each other. Now it has evolved over several years and become something beautiful and eye opening, something that means the world to people without saying a single word. This something is known as graffiti. An article written by Mark Halsey Alison Young, â€Å"brings to light the complex and creative aspects of graffiti cultureRead MoreEssay The Graffiti Exposure in Wynnum808 Words   |  4 Pages The Graffiti Exposure in Wynnum Is it a work of art; or a piece of scrawl sprayed across some bare surface? Ladies and Gentlemen, should Wynnum be exposed to Graffiti? Firstly, I would like to ask you. What is the cost to the government to ‘cover up this unwanted advertisement? One recent attack placed a school approximately $4000 out of pocket. Further more, over the last twelve months, my school has experienced nine attempts at destroying the asthetic appeal of the buildings within. I couldRead MoreHistory Of Subway Graffiti Art Essay1265 Words   |  6 Pageshistory of the underground art movement known by many names, most commonly graffiti begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the mid to late 60s, and started with bombing. The writers who are credited with the first effort are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL. They wrote their names all over the city gaining attention from the community and the local press. Then the movement made way to New York City where the teenagers would write graffiti on the subways. It is unclear whether this concept made way to New YorkRead MoreEssay about Graffiti is a Beautiful Crime1307 Words   |  6 PagesGraffiti is a Beautiful Crime Graffiti is a form of art that people use to express themselves and to convey various messages to people in a particular community. In the movie Graffiti Verite:. One of the graffiti artist explained that his purpose in doing graffiti is that it allows him to express his anger on the wall. Another kid by the name of Jipsie said that graffiti is a form of growth. There were several different explanations that artists shared as well as several different reasonsRead MoreThe History of Graffiti Essay example1801 Words   |  8 PagesGraffiti is a different form of art, not a crime. Graffiti is a way for people to show their unique creativity. Graffiti is a widely growing activity that is taking notice to many people. Today some people believe that graffiti is cool and wonderful, while others think it is useless and makes cities appear dirty. â€Å"Graffiti is the name for lettering scratched or images, scrawl, painted or noticeable in any manner on property. The term graffiti referred to the inscriptions, figure drawings, etc., foundRead MoreGraffiti: Art or Vandalism Essay examples1453 Words   |  6 Pagesindividual is often faced with uncertainty when the topic of graffiti arises. The public often portray graffiti as a destructive act towards his or her surroundings however; graffiti can also be considered a form of self-expression. Many questions can be made pertaining to the graffiti movement, but the main question is graffiti a crime or an art? The answers lie in the complex phrase of â€Å"beauty is in the eye of the beholder†. Graffiti portrays contemporary sub-cultured art through its versatility