7.3 Street Art, Graffiti, and Urban Expression

Street art and graffiti have transformed urban landscapes into vibrant canvases for creative expression. From tags to murals, these art forms challenge traditional notions of public space and give voice to marginalized communities.

Emerging in the 1960s, street art has evolved from simple tags to complex murals addressing social issues. It's sparked global movements, influenced pop culture, and gained recognition in the art world, blurring lines between vandalism and legitimate artistic expression.

Street Art vs Graffiti

Defining Street Art and Graffiti

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Top images from around the web for Defining Street Art and Graffiti

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  Street Art And Graffiti In Dublin Docklands | William Murphy | Flickr View original

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  Street Art And Graffiti In Dublin Docklands | William Murphy | Flickr View original

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  Street Art And Graffiti In Dublin Docklands | William Murphy | Flickr View original

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• Street art is visual art created in public locations, usually unsanctioned artwork executed outside of the context of traditional art venues
• Graffiti is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view
• Street art is often used as an umbrella term that encompasses graffiti, but it typically refers to a broader range of media and styles beyond traditional spray-painted tags and pieces associated with graffiti
• While graffiti is often associated with vandalism and illegality, street art has gained more mainstream acceptance and is sometimes commissioned or permitted

Media and Styles

• Street art encompasses a wide array of media including stickers, wheatpasted posters, stencils, installations, murals, and yarnbombing
  • Stickers are small printed or hand-drawn adhesive labels that can be quickly and easily applied to various surfaces (lampposts, mailboxes, street signs)
  • Wheatpasted posters are larger-scale works printed on paper and affixed to walls using a mixture of wheat flour and water
  • Stencils involve creating a template with a design cut out, which is then sprayed with paint to create a reproducible image
  • Installations are three-dimensional works that often incorporate found objects and interact with the surrounding environment
  • Murals are large-scale paintings or mosaics covering entire walls or building facades
  • Yarnbombing is the practice of covering objects in public spaces with knitted or crocheted fabric (trees, bike racks, statues)
• Graffiti is predominantly created using spray paint or markers
  • Tagging is the most basic form of graffiti, consisting of the writer's nickname or alias written in a stylized manner
  • Throw-ups are quickly executed bubble-letter renditions of the writer's name, often done in two colors
  • Pieces, short for masterpieces, are larger, more elaborate works that showcase the writer's skill and style, often incorporating characters and backgrounds

Origins of Urban Expression

The Birth of Graffiti

• The roots of graffiti can be traced back to the late 1960s in Philadelphia and New York City with the emergence of tagging, or writing one's nickname or alias on walls and subway trains
  • Cornbread, a Philadelphia high school student, is often credited with being one of the first modern graffiti writers
  • Taki 183, a Greek teenager from Manhattan, gained notoriety for tagging his name throughout the city in the early 1970s
• Early graffiti was often associated with gangs and used to mark territory, but it evolved into a form of creative expression and competition among writers seeking fame and recognition
  • Writers would try to outdo each other by tagging in more daring locations or developing more stylish lettering
  • The goal was to "get up" as much as possible, spreading one's name throughout the city

The Emergence of Street Art

• Street art emerged in the 1970s and 80s with artists like John Fekner, Richard Hambleton, and Keith Haring using the streets as their canvas for socially-conscious and conceptual works
  • John Fekner stenciled thought-provoking phrases on abandoned buildings in the South Bronx, addressing issues of urban decay and social inequality
  • Richard Hambleton painted life-size silhouettes of mysterious figures on the streets of New York, creating haunting scenes that challenged passersby
  • Keith Haring's playful and iconic characters, often addressing themes of love, death, and social justice, became ubiquitous throughout the city's subway system and beyond
• The rise of hip-hop culture in the 1980s further fueled the proliferation of graffiti as an integral element alongside rapping, DJing, and breakdancing
  • Graffiti became a key visual expression of hip-hop's rebellious spirit and DIY ethos
  • Subway trains became mobile galleries, with colorful pieces running along entire cars
  • The documentary film "Style Wars" (1983) and the book "Subway Art" (1984) helped to spread graffiti's influence globally

Impact on Urban Culture

• Street art and graffiti have profoundly influenced urban culture by democratizing art, reclaiming public space, and providing a platform for marginalized voices
  • They challenge the notion of art as a commodity reserved for the wealthy and elite, making it accessible to all
  • They transform the urban landscape into an open-air gallery, inviting people to engage with art in their daily lives
  • They give voice to communities and individuals who may feel unheard or underrepresented in mainstream society
• The global spread of street art and graffiti has shaped the visual identity of cities, sparked public discourse, and paved the way for creative placemaking initiatives
  • Cities like Berlin, São Paulo, and Melbourne have become known for their vibrant street art scenes, attracting tourists and art enthusiasts from around the world
  • Street art festivals and mural projects have brought together artists and communities to transform neighborhoods and create a sense of pride and belonging
  • The popularity of street art has led to increased efforts to preserve and protect notable works, as well as to commission new pieces that reflect a city's character and values

Messages in Street Art

Motivations and Themes

• Street artists and graffiti writers are often motivated by a desire for creative expression, fame, and leaving their mark on the urban landscape
  • Many see their work as a way to showcase their skills, style, and originality
  • Some seek to gain recognition within the street art and graffiti communities, building their reputation through the quality and quantity of their work
  • Others view their art as a means of asserting their existence and leaving a lasting impact on the city
• Many street artists use their work to raise awareness about social and political issues, challenge authority, and critique consumerism, gentrification, and other aspects of society
  • Banksy, the anonymous British street artist, is known for his satirical and subversive works that often address themes of war, capitalism, and human rights
  • The French artist JR has created large-scale photographic installations in favelas, refugee camps, and other marginalized communities to give a face to the forgotten and the oppressed
  • In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, street artists around the world created powerful murals and tributes calling for racial justice and police reform

Rebellion and Identity

• Graffiti can serve as a form of rebellion against social norms and a way for disenfranchised youth to assert their identity and presence in the face of marginalization
  • In the 1970s and 80s, graffiti provided a creative outlet for young people in inner-city neighborhoods who felt excluded from mainstream society
  • Writing one's name on walls and trains was a way of saying "I exist" and "I matter" in a world that often ignored or dismissed them
  • Graffiti crews, such as the infamous CAY 161 from the Bronx, fostered a sense of belonging and solidarity among members who shared a passion for writing and a desire to make their mark

Commemoration and Provocation

• Street art has been used to commemorate historical events, honor cultural heroes, and create memorials for victims of violence or injustice
  • In Buenos Aires, a group of artists known as Colectivo FX created a series of murals depicting the faces of victims of Argentina's military dictatorship, ensuring that their stories would not be forgotten
  • In Bristol, a mural of the local trip-hop artist Tricky by Inkie became a beloved landmark and a symbol of the city's musical heritage
  • In Syria, the artist Aziz Al-Asmar painted colorful murals on the ruins of bombed-out buildings, turning scenes of destruction into messages of hope and resilience
• Some street artists and graffiti writers see their work as a gift to the public, providing moments of surprise, beauty, or provocation in the daily lives of passersby
  • The Spanish artist SpY often creates playful and interactive installations that invite people to stop, smile, and engage with their surroundings
  • The American artist Mark Jenkins places realistic sculptures of human figures in unexpected locations, sparking curiosity and conversation among those who encounter them
  • The Italian artist BLU is known for his massive, politically-charged murals that transform the sides of buildings into thought-provoking canvases

Ephemerality and Change

• The ephemeral nature of street art and graffiti can be seen as a commentary on the transience of life and the constant change and evolution of the urban environment
  • Most street art and graffiti are created with the knowledge that they may be quickly covered up, removed, or destroyed
  • This impermanence can be seen as a reflection of the fleeting nature of existence and the need to make the most of the present moment
  • It also speaks to the ever-changing character of cities, where buildings are demolished, walls are repainted, and neighborhoods are transformed over time
  • Some street artists embrace this ephemerality by creating works that are designed to fade, peel, or wash away, such as the "reverse graffiti" of Alexandre Orion, who selectively cleaned dirt and grime from tunnel walls to create temporary images

Aesthetic Value of Street Art

Artistic Innovation

• Graffiti writers are known for their stylistic innovations in lettering, including wildstyle, bubble letters, and 3D effects, which have been adopted and adapted by graphic designers and other artists
  • Wildstyle is a complex and intricate form of graffiti lettering that involves interlocking, overlapping, and distorting the shapes of letters to create a dense, abstract composition
  • Bubble letters are a rounder, more cartoonish style of graffiti lettering that often incorporates shading and highlights to create a three-dimensional effect
  • 3D graffiti uses techniques such as perspective, shadows, and highlights to create the illusion of depth and volume on a flat surface
• Street artists have pushed the boundaries of traditional art by experimenting with scale, perspective, and site-specificity to create immersive and interactive experiences
  • The French artist JR has created massive photographic installations that cover entire buildings and hillsides, transforming them into monumental portraits that can be seen from miles away
  • The German artist 1010 paints mesmerizing portals and voids that seem to recede into the depths of walls and buildings, playing with the viewer's perception of space
  • The American artist Caledonia Curry, also known as Swoon, creates intricate, life-sized paper cutouts and wheatpasted portraits that blend seamlessly into the urban environment

Visual Language and Communication

• The use of repetition, pattern, and iconography in street art can create a powerful visual language that communicates complex ideas and emotions
  • The British artist Stik is known for his simple, stick-figure characters that convey a wide range of human experiences and emotions through their body language and facial expressions
  • The Brazilian twins OSGEMEOS use a recurring cast of yellow-skinned, elongated figures to tell stories and express themes of family, community, and cultural identity
  • The American artist Shepard Fairey's "OBEY" campaign, featuring the stylized face of the wrestler Andre the Giant, became a global phenomenon and a symbol of resistance and questioning authority
• The best street art and graffiti demonstrate a mastery of technique, composition, and color theory, as well as a unique personal style and creative vision
  • The Australian artist Rone is known for his hauntingly beautiful portraits of women's faces, often painted on the walls of abandoned buildings and factories
  • The Spanish artist Aryz creates massive, colorful murals that combine surreal and figurative elements in a style that is both dreamlike and technically precise
  • The South African artist Faith47's work combines delicate, ethereal imagery with powerful social and political messages, often addressing issues of inequality, violence, and environmental degradation

Legitimacy and Recognition

• The artistic merit of street art and graffiti can be evaluated based on criteria such as originality, skill, impact, and the ability to engage and inspire viewers
  • Works that demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency, innovative use of materials and techniques, and a distinctive personal style are often the most highly regarded
  • Street art and graffiti that effectively communicate a message, evoke an emotional response, or spark meaningful dialogue and debate are also considered to have significant artistic value
  • Works that are able to withstand the test of time, either through their physical durability or their enduring cultural relevance and influence, are often seen as the most important and impactful
• The incorporation of street art and graffiti into museum exhibitions, galleries, and private collections has helped to validate its status as a serious art form
  • The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles hosted the first major U.S. museum exhibition of graffiti and street art in 2011, featuring works by Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and other prominent artists
  • The Street Art Museum Amsterdam, opened in 2012, is dedicated entirely to preserving and showcasing street art from around the world
  • Auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's have sold works by street artists for millions of dollars, with Banksy's "Devolved Parliament" setting a record for the artist at $12.2 million in 2019
• Despite this growing recognition, the legal and ethical issues surrounding street art and graffiti remain complex and controversial
  • Many cities have strict laws against unauthorized painting and marking of public property, and property owners often view graffiti as a form of vandalism and a nuisance
  • Some argue that the commercialization and institutionalization of street art undermines its rebellious spirit and authenticity, turning it into just another commodity in the art market
  • Others see the acceptance and celebration of street art as a positive development, one that acknowledges the skill, creativity, and cultural significance of this once-underground art form