Grafitti

2. Lady Pink
 “Rebellion is a healthy thing. It keeps our
civilization from becoming stagnant. It keeps
the art world from becoming stagnant. It
questions the status quo and it keeps it on its
toes. Why should art be sanctioned by
permission, inside a neat little gallery or
museum or something? Why can’t art just be
the expression of humans wherever the hell
they please?”

3. Quick History of Graffiti
 The word “graffiti” is
actually plural of “graffito”
and was first used in the
late 18th, early 19th
centuries when studies of
Pompeii discovered wall
markings.
 These markings were
described “as an
uncultured art form
and as the product of
a pure urge to
create”.

4. Quick History of Graffiti
 The height of graffiti in
Pompeii was AD 14-68
during Nero’s reign.
 In the Roman world,
graffiti was perhaps the
only way to talk back to
the oppressive
authority.

5. Quick History of Graffiti
 After the Romantic Era
interest in graffiti as
‘pure creative act,’ the
Victorians returned to
‘real art,’ losing interest
in art that was produced
in the streets.
 A negative attitude
toward graffiti only
began by the end of the
19th century because it
started to be associated
with the lower level
elements of society.

6. Quick History of Graffiti
 The authors of graffiti
were perceived to be
solely from the working
class while those who
dominated cultural
production were the
elite of society.

7. Quick History of Graffiti
 This reflected the
notion: “Those who
have freedom of the
press are those who
own a press.”

8. Brassaï
 Photographer Brassaï brought graffiti back to the public’s
attention through his photographic documentation of
graffiti in the 1930’s.

9. Brassaï
 Brassaï was a friend of
famous artists Pablo
Picasso, Salvador Dali,
and Henry Matisse.
Picasso, when he was
young, admitted to
copying ideas from
graffiti on walls.

10. Tagging
 “Tagging” is a term used
for applying one’s name
or pseudonym (fake
name) with spray paint
to trains (originally) or
any public place.
 Pseudonym + Address
#
 Example: Bzed335

11. Tagging
 Tagging started as an act
done just while trains
stopped then moved on.
The train leaving the train
leaving the city
symbolized a type of
freedom for the artist who
was stuck in the city with
poor living conditions or
the inability to travel. His
name was free and could
travel.

12. Tagging
 Tagging began to
become more
elaborate and
competitive as
artists tagged trains
that were parked
overnight, giving
the artist more time
to paint.

13. Nature of Graffiti
 Graffiti is Addictive:
“destructive and creative at
the same time.”
 Placement of work is highly
valued.
 Documentation of the work
is equally important.
 Graffiti is a male
dominated activity due
to the dirty, cold, and
dangerous orientation
of the act. Lady Pink
was the first female
artist to leave a lasting
impact on the graffiti
world.
 Graffiti writing becomes
almost calligraphic and
an expression of
personality.

14. Situationists
 Situationists wanted to
break down the barriers
between art, politics,
and other forms of
social oppression.
 Situationists inspired
people to decorate
streets with subverting
(anti-government)
posters.

15. Evolution of Graffiti

16. Evolution of Graffiti
 This form of light graffiti is:
 non-destructive,
 it isn’t permanent, and,
 looks very similar to video billboard displays on
highways.
 What about REVERSE GRAFFITI?

17. A Type of Printmaking
 Spray painting through a stencil is actually a form of
printmaking.
 The stencil is the mask, and the negative space allows
for ink (or paint) to adhere (stick to) the surface.
 Origins of Tagging = Pseudonym + Address #

18. Art Gallery Visit
 SESSION 7
 Vincom Towers
 Vinh Long Gallery
 La Vie En Rose Bar N Cafe