The art of Graffiti

By: Nia, Lauren, Guinn and Trinity

Origin:

It is arguable where the true origin of graffiti originated from, but Philadelphia is where it started. This form of art is used to express different feelings of the creator and allow them to do this through spray painting different aspects of art. Graffiti doesn’t belong to a specific art movement. It originally started as an underground form or art.

Thesis: Graffiti is an interesting form of art that isn’t controlled and is usually put on surfaces without permission but is a created way all kinds of people to creatively express themselves.

What is Graffiti:

Graffiti is typically found in urban cities drawn on buildings, highways, sidewalks, or walls and typically without permission. There are many different ways to graffiti, but the most common method is to use spray paint. Some of the most popular places to find graffiti in Atlanta particularly are Downtown, Little Five Points, East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, the Beltline, and the West End. However, there is also art on the highways as well as throughout the city in various places you wouldn’t think about looking. Graffiti can range from profanity spray painted on the highway, to tagging a name or a gang, to elaborate street art on the side of a building. The possibilities of artistic expression are endless. Some of the best graffiti around the world can mainly be found in Europe. Sweden, UK, Germany, and France are the most popular. South America is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful graffiti. Argentina and Brazil are full of bright and colorful graffiti. Similar to hip-hop, graffiti is often a misunderstood form of cultural expression that questions what is considered art by societal standards.

Where is it Located:

Graffiti is typically found in urban cities drawn on buildings, highways, sidewalks, or walls. There are many different ways to graffiti, but the most common method is to use spray paint. Some of the most popular places to find graffiti in Atlanta particularly are Downtown, Little Five Points, East Atlanta, Cabbage town, Old Fourth Ward, the Beltline, and the West End. However, there is also art on the highways as well as throughout the city in various places you wouldn’t think about looking.

Influence on Youth:

While there are many forms of art that stem from hip hop, Graffiti is one that has been and continues to be extremely controversial. While many people interpret graffiti as an act of gang-related art, that is not always the case. Graffiti can convey a plethora of things depending on how you interpret it. Instead of associating it with negative connotations, many people equate its qualities to that of beautiful murals painted by famous painters such as Diego Rivera. Many scholars believe that graffiti is a way for the youth to reclaim public spaces. They also say that this helps to aid the youth culture in the development of self-identification.