Philadelphia

Definition

Philadelphia is a city in the United States that has played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern graffiti from the 1960s to the 1980s. Known for its vibrant street art scene, Philadelphia became a significant hub where early graffiti artists began to express their identities and messages through tagging and mural work, influencing the broader street art movement across the country.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Philadelphia was home to some of the first organized graffiti crews in the U.S., such as the 'Boys of Destruction' and 'The TPA Crew'.
2. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Philadelphia graffiti artists like Cornbread and Cool Earl gained notoriety for their elaborate tags and contributions to the scene.
3. The city hosted significant graffiti events like 'The Philadelphia Mural Project,' which helped legitimize street art as a recognized form of artistic expression.
4. Philadelphia's unique blend of hip-hop culture provided a fertile ground for graffiti artists to collaborate with musicians and dancers, further embedding it in urban culture.
5. The city remains known for its murals today, with organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting public art as part of its cultural heritage.

Review Questions

• How did Philadelphia influence the development of modern graffiti during the late 20th century?
  • Philadelphia's vibrant street art scene in the late 20th century was crucial in shaping modern graffiti. The emergence of influential graffiti crews in the city allowed artists to develop their unique styles and share their voices publicly. Events like 'The Philadelphia Mural Project' showcased how graffiti could convey powerful messages while also gaining acceptance as a legitimate form of artistic expression within urban communities.
• Discuss the relationship between hip-hop culture and the graffiti movement in Philadelphia during the 1960s-1980s.
  • Hip-hop culture in Philadelphia during the 1960s-1980s played a vital role in fostering the graffiti movement. The city's artists were influenced by the music and dance aspects of hip-hop, leading to collaborations between graffiti artists and musicians. This synergy allowed graffiti to serve not just as an artistic outlet but also as a visual representation of hip-hop identity and social commentary within urban spaces.
• Evaluate how Philadelphia's approach to street art has evolved from simple tagging to large-scale murals, and what this signifies about societal attitudes towards graffiti.
  • The evolution from simple tagging to large-scale murals in Philadelphia reflects a significant shift in societal attitudes towards graffiti. Initially seen as vandalism, street art began to be embraced as a legitimate form of cultural expression. The city's initiatives to promote muralism indicate a growing recognition of street art's potential to beautify urban spaces and convey important social messages. This transformation illustrates how communities can recontextualize graffiti from an act of defiance into a celebrated aspect of public art.

Related terms

Tagging: The act of writing a signature or pseudonym in a stylized manner, often seen as the foundational form of graffiti.

Muralism: A style of street art that involves large-scale paintings on walls, often conveying social or political messages.

Hip-Hop Culture: A cultural movement that originated in the 1970s, encompassing four main elements: rapping, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art.