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Note: This page is about "graffiti", the wall-markings. See Graffiti (PalmOS) for the PalmOS handwriting system.
Note: Graffiti is the plural of graffito, but the singular form is rarely heard. The origin of both words (taken from Italian) is the Greek γραφειν (graphein), meaning "to write", which is also the root of graphic.
Graffiti originally was the term used for inscriptions, figure drawings, etc., found on the walls of ancient sepulchers or ruins, as in the Catacombs, or at Pompeii. But has evolved to include any decorations inscribed on any surface that are considered to be vandalism or pictures or writing placed on surfaces, usually outside walls and sidewalks, without the permission of the owner.
The Romans carved graffiti into both their own walls and monuments and there are also, for instance, Egyptian ones. The graffiti carved on the walls of Pompeii were preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius and offer us a direct insight into street life: everyday Latin, insults, magic, love declarations, political consigns. One example has even been found that stated "Cave Canem", which translates as "Beware of Dog".
On the other hand, Viking graffiti can be found in Rome, and Varangians carved their runes in Hagia Sophia. Many times in history graffiti were used as form of fight with opponents (see Orange Alternative, for example). The Irish had their own inscriptive language called Ogham.
Frescos and murals are art forms that involve leaving images and writing on wall surfaces. Like the ancient cave wall paintings in France, they are not graffiti, as they are created with the explicit permission (and usually support) of the owner of the walls.
In the 20th century, 'Kilroy was Here' became a famous graffito, as did Mr. Chad, which was a face with only the eyes and a nose hanging over the wall saying "What No...?" (thing that lacked at the time) during the time of rationing.
Some graffiti may be local or regional in nature, such as the wall tagging of gangs in Southern California such as the Bloods and the Crips. Commonly, in the Washington, DC area, the name Cool "Disco" Dan (including the quotation marks) tends to be seen.
A record number of words have been invented or joined to express different styles of graffiti. One such word is back to back, which means a piece of graffiti that is done all the way across a wall from one end to the next. This could be seen in some parts of the Berlin Wall on the West side.
Theories and use of graffiti by avant-garde artists has a history dating at least to the Scandinavian Institute of Comparative Vandalism in 1961.
Graffiti is subject to different societal pressures from popularly-recognized art forms, since graffiti appears on walls, freeways, buildings, trains or any accessible surfaces that are not owned by the person who applies the graffiti. This means that graffiti forms incorporate elements rarely seen elsewhere. Spray paint and broad permanent markers are commonly used, and the organizational structure of the art is sometimes influenced by the need to apply the art quickly before it is noticed by authorities. In an effort to reduce vandalism, many cities have designated walls or areas exclusively for use by graffiti artists. This discourages petty vandalism yet encourages artists to take their time and produce great art, without worry of being caught or arrested for vandalism or trespassing. A new form of tagging was created 1995 in Berlin by 6-_-©|||||>@rtist.info. He painted his 500 000 "6" tags with lime on wildly pasted posters, garbage and on the street . 30 % of his tags he painted while cycling.
Some of those who practice graffiti art are keen to distance themselves from gang graffiti. There are differences in both form and intent. The purpose of graffiti art is self-expression and creativity, and may involve highly stylized letter forms drawn with markers, or cryptic and colorful spray paint murals on walls, buildings, and even freight trains. Graffiti artists strive to improve their art, which is constantly changing and progressing. The purpose of gang graffiti, on the other hand, is to mark territorial boundaries, and is therefore limited to a gang's neighborhood; it does not presuppose artistic intent.
Others regard graffiti as an unwanted nuisance, and many more consider it be expensive vandalism that must be repaired. To remove graffiti, high pressure cleaning can be used; it can also be painted over or, as a prevention, a specially formulated antigraffiti coating can be applied to the surface of high-risk areas.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 is the latest anti graffiti legislation to be passed in Britain.
The strand of graffiti art which is considered one of the four elements of Hip Hop is usually denoted as urban 'Aerosol Art'. Sometimes synonymous with "Hip-Hop heads," so-called graffiti artists have gone beyond that stereotype and are abundant even among middle-class white children. There are different genres, from Philly's wicked style to California and New York's wild style graffiti. Graffiti artists are classified based on their style or even on what surface they use.
Graffiti tagging existed in Philadelphia in the 1960's, pioneered by Cornbread and Cool Earl. Another Philadelphia product, Top Cat, later exported the characteristic Philly style of script (tall, slender lettering with platforms at the bottom) to NYC where it gained populariy as "Broadway Elegant". It wasn't until it reached popularity in the New York City subway system that it took on an extravagant artistic role, expanding from tags to full-blown "pieces". One of the originators of New York graffiti was TAKI 183; a foot messenger who would tag his nickname around New York streets that he daily frequented en route. A Greek-American, Taki was his nickname, diminutive for Demetrius, he took the 183 from his address. After being showcased in the NY Times, the "tag" (stylized signature) was being mimicked by hundreds of urban youth within months. It should be noted that there were other writers active in NYC before Taki, such as JULIO 204, but he brought the most attention to the movement. With the innovation of art, and the craving to gain the widest audience, attempts by taggers were made. What developed was a strict adherence to spraypaint, sampling foreign calligraphy, and the much anticipated mural (that usually covered an entire subway car). The artist was called a "writer," and so were groups of associated artists, called "crews". The movement spread on the streets, returned to the railroads where tagging was popularized by Hobos, spread nationwide with the aid of media and Rap music; thus, being yet mimicked again worldwide.
One of the earliest women to become active on the graffiti scene was "Lady Pink" in NYC. Sandra Fabara AKA Lady Pink starred in the hip hop classic film "Wildstyle" at just 18 years of age back in 1982.
In the early 1980s, the combination of a booming art market and a renewed interest in painting resulted in the rise of a few graffiti artists to art-star status. Jean-Michel Basquiat, a former street-artist known by his "Samo" tag, and Keith Haring, a professionally-trained artist who adopted a graffiti style, were two of the most widely recognized graffiti artists. In some cases the line between "simple" graffiti and unsanctioned works of public art can be difficult to draw.
In the early 1980s one of the largest community Graffiti Art Battles took place next to the Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham, England. The City invited a selection of the UK's most renown graffiti artists such as local artist Goldie, Bristol's 3D (who went on to form Massive Attack), London's Mode from the Chrome Angels and Bronx Man Brim and his New York alter ego Bio attending for good measure. Clips from the Battle can be seen in Channel 4 documentary called bombing.
It was a rare occasion of the age for so many prestigious artists to come together on one wall - many battles would lead to gang rivalry especially if one artist would "bite," or copy, another's style.
The massive boards were errected with scaffolding in place to enable free movement of the artists.
In the '80s and early '90s the writers Cost and Revs were the first to get up with their name with the new techniques that would be a new form of graffiti, ie Post-Graffiti or also known as Street Art. The participants use stencils, posters, stickers and installations to spread their art illegally in the streets. Since the '90s Shepard Fairey influenced many of today's street artists with his 'Obey Giant' campaign. Other important Street Artists are C6.org who incorporate new technologies into street graffiti art, Banksy probably the most famous of the stencil artists, D*Face (UK), Stak, HNT, Alexone, Os Gemeos, Herbert (Brazil), 6-_-©IIIII>@rtist.info, Flying Fortress, Gomes, Graffitilovesyou, (Germany), Influenza, Erosie (Holland) and many more.
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