Graffiti as a Form of Expression. Graffiti street art has become an accepted aspect of our society, although it has not

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1 McPhillips 1 Gavin McPhillips Lopez/ Holder American Literature September 28, 2010 Graffiti as a Form of Expression Graffiti street art has become an accepted aspect of our society, although it has not always been this way. Graffiti was pioneered in the late 1960 s in Philadelphia and New York. At first many saw it as vandalism and a sign of urban decay. For the people involved in this form of expression, graffiti was an art form and a way of life. These people risked arrest to express themselves. As graffiti gained popularity, a new genre of music and expression called hip hop was gaining popularity in the Bronx, a working class area of New York. One of the pioneers of this genre was Clive Campbell also known as DJ Kool Herc. He prided himself on being involved in the art of graffiti and associated this art with the culture of the hip hop movement, because of the similar messages both arts expressed such as anticonformism and oppression. In the mid 1970 s, hip hop artist Afrika Bambaataa defined the four elements of hip hop as; mcing, djing, breakdancing, and graffiti. Graffiti art sparked a movement, allowing artists to express themselves, and create art that can be viewed by the general public. The hip hop movement emerged through block parties in the Bronx after DJs began isolating percussive elements and specific beats, and rhyming over the beats in a manner similar to toasting, which was a style that originated in Jamaica, where vocalists would talk or chant in a melody. Often times at these block parties attendees would participate in

2 McPhillips 2 graffiti or breakdancing as a form of expression. The hip hop movement became an alternative to gang life and violence. Often times the people involved in gangs, saw the gang life as an instrument of expression, but as the hip hop movement gained popularity, these gang members found an alternative method of expression that benefitted society through art, music and dance. Hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa had been heavily involved in gang activity up into the late 1960 s, but as hip hop began to gain popularity Bambaataa transformed his gang into a hip hop preservation organization which is now known as the Universal Zulu Nation. Bambaataa was respected among his gang and as he got involved in hip hop he was able to persuade his fellow gang members to transfer their energy and anger into hip hop. The Zulu nation is dedicated to the preservation of the hip hop movement, with members organizing cultural events such as block parties or barbecues for youths and combining local dance and music movements to help create the four elements of the hip hop movement. Currently the Zulu nation is a global organization that continues to preserve the hip hop movement, and desires to help others (regardless of nationality or skin color) who have been oppressed, by the government or institutions, or people. In 1979, Sugarhil Gang s Rapper s Delight became the first hip hop hit, exposing mainstream America to hip hop. With this popularity the graffiti aspect of the hip hop movement also gained recognition and became somewhat of a global phenomenon with artists contributing to the movement from all around the world. For example, In 1979 graffiti artist Lee Quinones and Fab Five Freddy were given a gallery opening in Rome by art dealer Claudio Bruni. This created a global interest of graffiti from many politically inclined

3 McPhillips 3 European artists. With the introduction of movies such as Wild Style (1982) and Style Wars (1983) graffiti and hip hop became tightly intertwined. Jeff Chang from New York Magazine explains; the art of hip hop now, whether we re talking graphic design, fashion, painting, conceptual art, and even sculpture, has thoroughly been shaped by the language of graffiti. As Jeff Chang explains hip hop has largely been shaped by the styles and ideals that graffiti artists have created (i. e. political views, artistic styles, etc). Since 1970, the style of graffiti has changed drastically with such artists as Pose, Omye, Cope, and Twister pioneering contemporary graffiti, and taking it to the next level; creating far bigger and more complicated pieces of graffiti which often incorporated 3D effects, arrows, and many colors and color transitions, as well as various other effects. Writers soon began spreading their names and messages around the world. Graffiti artist Revok, 2010 As the style of graffiti art changes, so do the punishments if a graffiti artist is caught. Penalties depend on the specific artists activity and involvement in vandalism. If the artist has damaged a number of properties, then the punishment and fine will be severe. In all

4 McPhillips 4 scenarios the captured artist must spend a number of hours in community service, removing graffiti. None the less, artists still feel an intrigue to this unique form of art. This art has prompted a new genre of urban artists who make art in public and often illegal spaces, through mediums such as wheat paste, stickers, stencils and paint rollers. The graffiti movement has allowed people to express themselves and send a message for everyone to hear. The graffiti subculture is the radical and political aspect that many graffiti artists take, feeling the need to rebel against authority. The messages of these artists are often anti war, anarchist, anti consumerist and/or anti conformist. Many artists justify their activity by pointing out that they do not have the money or sometimes the desire to buy advertising to get their message across, and that a "ruling class" or "establishment" control the mainstream press, systematically excluding the radical/alternative point of view, and often the view of the general public (Time). The artists involved in this subculture of graffiti art created a newer and more specific form of graffiti that has been rapidly gaining popularity, this form is known as street art. Street art is any art developed in public spaces though the term usually refers to unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and street installations. Typically, the term street art is used to distinguish contemporary public space artwork from territorial graffiti, vandalism, and corporate art. This form of graffiti attempts to separate

5 McPhillips 5 from the mindless territorial graffiti that has forgotten the true purpose of the art. With the great popularity of this art form, many of the more accomplished artists are able to make money off of their professional art, yet continue to make art for the streets. As WK Interact from France states "It's freedom, Anyone can look at it without paying (Time)." This form of graffiti gives the art a true meaning, allowing people to express themselves and their perspectives. This form of art challenges traditional art, by situating it in traditionally non art contexts. These street artists do not aspire to change the definition of what art is. Because graffiti in all forms should be considered art and anyone who denies this is narrowminded. Street artists construct their art in public venues, that are often illegal, to communicate with everyday people about socially relevant themes that impact our society. The motivations and objectives that drive street artists are often varied by the street artists themselves. Among many of these artists there is a strong sense of activism and subversion. Other inspirations for street artists include opposing the dominance of corporate forces and disrupting the mainstream. Street art is a powerful platform for reaching the public. One prominent street artist that has gained notoriety for his artwork is Banksy. Banksy is a British graffiti artist, political activist, and painter. He is known for his satirical style of street art, as well as his combination of dark humor and graffiti done in a distinctive technique of stenciling. His artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of throughout the world. Banksy s works have dealt with a variety of political and social themes including, anti War, anti capitalism, antifascism, anti imperialism, anti authoritarianism and anarchism. Banksy s method to portray his message is visual imagery and iconography, while he describes his political stance in his

6 McPhillips 6 newest book, Banksy: Wall and Piece; Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world, I can t even finish my second apple pie We can t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves." Graffiti is an important part of our society and culture that gives artists a medium to express themselves, and show the public their perspective. Graffiti is a rebellion to commercialism that the general public can participate in. Graffiti has shaped a large part of our society from style, fashion, art, culture, language and even politics. Graffiti will continue to grow stronger as people feel the need to express themselves and portray their opinions for the general public to see and judge. Works Cited

7 McPhillips 7 Banksy. Banksy: Wall and Piece. London: Century, The Random House, Print. "Banksy." Wikipedia. Web. 28 Sept < Ehrlich, Dimitri. "A History of Graffiti in Its Own Words." New York Magazine. 25 June Web. 28 Sept < "Graffiti Archive Collection." TIME. Web. 01 Oct < Hop." Wikipedia. 21 Sept Web. 28 Sept < "International Street Art." Museum of International Street Art. Web. 28 Sept < Neer, Katherine. "Hip hop and Graffiti." How Stuff Works. Web. 28 Sept < hop2.htm>. Smith, Katie. "The Influence of Hip Hop Music on Society." EHow. 16 June Web. 28 Sept < hip hop music society.html>. Todd. "Rap Hip Hop Timeline " DigitalDreamDoor.com. Web. 28 Sept < timeline1.html>. WK Interact. "Art of the Street." TIME. 24 Oct Web. 28 Sept <