No matter how rich or poor, small or large a city is, there is bound to be graffiti. Sometimes there are so many of them that our eyes no longer notice them! By the way, what do you know about the history of graffiti as an art and its different styles?
1. The word "graffiti" comes from Greek and Italian.: The Greek word "graphein" which means "to write" and the Italian word "graffito" which means "scratch".
2. Many graffiti artists prefer to remain anonymous. to avoid legal consequences of their activities.
3. Graffiti art originated in Philadelphia in the late 1960s. Initially, graffiti was primarily used to write political slogans and mark gang territory, and had little artistic value.
4. Most graffiti artists want to be called “writers.” and leave a unique signature on their work called a “tag”.
5. Nowadays, the most common graffiti materials are spray paints and marker pens.
6. Banksy - the most popular artist graffiti artist known for his stencil art (stencil art) on political and anti-war themes. His work can be seen all over the world.
7. The world record for the longest graffiti drawing is 2245 meters. It was created in Dubai in 2014 by more than a hundred artists and contained scenes from the history of the United Arab Emirates.
8. Yarn Bombing is technically a form of graffiti that originated in Texas. It consists of covering objects, structures, trees with knitted or knitted materials.
9. First famous example graffiti "in a modern style" is located in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. This is a handprint that somewhat resembles a heart, as well as a footprint and a number.
10. “Heaven spot” - these are graffiti drawings made in a hard-to-reach area, such as a roof or a bridge.
11. Graffiti writers have a so-called “black book”, and this is an album with sketches of future works.
12. Graffiti is also a term used to refer to writings and drawings found on the walls of ancient ruins such as Pompeii or the Roman catacombs.
13. First famous graffiti artist There was Darryl McCray, nicknamed Cornbread. In the late 1960s, he and a group of friends began leaving their names on walls in Philadelphia, which started the graffiti movement.
14. Graffiti bombing is a term meaning the rapid application of large graffiti. Particularly popular is “trainbombing,” when a group of writers instantly paint a train before the police arrive.
15. There is a difference between graffiti and street art. In graffiti, writers generally have no interest in the public understanding their work; instead, they use it to communicate with other writers. Street art is for the community.
16. People who are new to graffiti are called toys.. Those who have more experience and respect among other writers are called kings or queens.
Bonus: Spray painting. How to paint graffiti on walls
Graffiti ( Graffiti from Italian graffito - inscriptions) is street painting. Disputes regarding whether graffiti should be considered a separate art direction or an act of vandalism have not subsided to this day. Graffiti usually refers to any images placed on the surface of walls, buildings, and other public objects. What is it, how did this direction appear, how is it developing, what is considered to be graffiti in contemporary art?
History of graffiti: from the ancient world to modern times
Nowadays, graffiti is a common name for any type of street art and wall painting; regardless of the degree of professionalism in applying images. This term has been used in history for quite a long time. Moreover, previously there was a division into two concepts, such as “dipinti” and “graffiti”. The term comes from the verb “graffiare”, which means “to scratch” in Italian. The verb “dipinti” meant inscriptions made with paint.
Interesting fact: in the past, scratching and painting techniques were often combined. Examples of this technique were observed among potters who scratched inscriptions into the top layer of paint, thus exposing the inner layer. Of course, it is now difficult to call such a technique graffiti in the classical sense of the word, but at that time these were one of the first examples of the use of the technique. Especially often, masters signed their works in this way.
It is customary to begin the history of graffiti from the moment when wall inscriptions were discovered. The first examples were found in the countries of the Ancient East, in Rome, as well as in Greece. Later, any graphics that were applied to the surface of the walls were designated as graffiti, and in many countries it was regarded as an act of vandalism. Incredibly, the first drawings appeared already in the thirtieth millennium BC. It was the rock paintings that became the prototype of this art direction. Then, natural pigments and sharp objects were used as tools: such as animal bones, stones and fragments of hardened rocks.
The founders of graffiti are the ancients rock paintings
The first prototype of graffiti, such as we are used to seeing it now, is located in the city of Ephesus, which is located in Turkey. Previously it belonged to Ancient Greece and even preserved the marks of this culture. The first text was an advertisement for the services of prostitutes. The drawing depicted a handprint vaguely reminiscent of a heart, a number and a footprint. This entire figure is interpreted as the amount of payment for certain services.
The ancient Romans also had a sense of humor, and often made cartoon graffiti with images of those in power. Then this direction was used as a tool for declarations of love, and for conveying one’s thoughts and for political rhetoric. Pompeii displayed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, various curses, magic spells, alphabet, political slogans and much more. As it becomes clear from this list, the direction was very multifaceted. Thanks to these same inscriptions, it was possible to reveal many mysteries and incomprehensible aspects of spoken language. Considering the low level of education among most of the people, many inscriptions turned out to be a serious help in understanding oral speech.
It is also noteworthy that graffiti appeared almost simultaneously in different parts of the world. Even in Egypt, on the territory of the historical complex of Giza, researchers found many inscriptions and drawings that were also attributed to this style. It is believed that they were left by builders and religious figures time.
Graffiti was used even where there was no connection with civilization. The ancient Mayan tribes, in one of their largest settlements - Tikal, left many well-preserved drawings. Graffiti has a long and rich history in Eastern Slavs. In Novgorod, 10 examples of works dating back to the eleventh century have been preserved. Most The messages of this people carry a prayer message, although sometimes you can find some humorous messages. It is worth noting that folk spells were often cast, because people then were very superstitious.
Already during the Renaissance, such famous artists as Michelangelo and Raphael went to the golden house of Nero where they carved proper names, after which they began active work. Later, French soldiers left inscriptions during the Egyptian campaign led by Napoleon. Lord Byron also left his mark on the Greek Temple of Poseidon. And during the Second World War, Soviet soldiers did huge amount inscriptions on the walls of the Reichstag.
The Birth of Modern Graffiti
Examples of modern graffiti are considered to be the basis on which it was created modern direction. Many cultural experts believe that the modern look is directly related to hip-hop and breakdancing. However, this is a misconception, because the first wave of drawings appeared in the 1920s in the New York subway, which serves as a significant refutation of this theory. Drawings can often be found on the surface of carriages, as well as in pedestrian crossings.
Lettering on train cars in New York, 1920s Then, during World War II, the expression “Kilroy was here” began to spread. This inscription appeared long after the end of the war. Over time, it began to be supplemented with images. This phrase was used by American soldiers during the war, which is why the phrase became entrenched in American culture.
Famous WWII graffiti “Kilroy was Here”, 1940s (modern interpretation) Then there was a wave of signs appearing all over New York City that read “Bird Lives.” In Paris, during the strikes of 1968, the phrase “L’ennui est contre-révolutionnaire”, which translated means “Boredom is counter-revolutionary,” became popular. As can be seen from these examples, graffiti has been firmly woven into human culture throughout human existence.
Graffiti Culture Dissemination Center
There is no formal and unified center for the dissemination of graffiti culture as such. Some believe that the center of this trend is the city of Sao Paulo, which is an inspiration for graffiti artists from all over the world. This city is often compared to New York in the 1970s and has a similar atmosphere. The period from 1969 to 1974 is considered revolutionary in history. It was then that a huge number of trends were born, and the center of development of this art form moved from Philadelphia to New York. Since then, New York has been considered the center of graffiti development.
World experience in confrontation between graffiti and the state
All over the world there is a dual attitude towards street art. In many countries, graffiti is still considered vandalism, and people who apply graffiti are fined or sentenced to administrative punishment. In some countries and states, people are even imprisoned for such activities.
In the 1980s, an anti-graffiti organization, the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN), was formed in Philadelphia. Authorities quickly began to realize that graffiti and murals were only active in poor areas of cities. In such cases, graffiti is a kind of reflection of people’s standard of living. Then the US authorities began to fight the devastation in cities in order to eliminate the possibility of drawings on the walls.
Photo by documentarian of the world of graffiti Martha Cooper for the publication Subway Art In 2006, a city councilman named Peter Vallone proposed a bill that would ban anyone under 21 from possessing wall markers or spray paint. Then fashion designer Marc Eco filed a lawsuit for violating the rights of artists and a hearing took place that same year. Marc Eco's demands were satisfied, and the legislative amendments were removed. There is a known case when in Chicago in 1992, aerosol paints and other means of applying drawings to walls were banned for sale. And that same year, a law was passed that imposed a fine of $500 on those who put graffiti on the wall.
Moreover, the fine exceeded the amount that was imposed for being intoxicated in public places, as well as for violating religious services. In 2005, a system was created that allowed drawings to be entered into a single database, which made it easier to find the artist, because it was easier to discover their author based on the general outline. One of the first to be imprisoned was Joseph Montana, who was called the king of graffiti. He painted more than 200 buildings, for which he was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
The fight against street artists also took place in Europe. A law was passed banning the sale of spray paint to persons under 16 years of age. And, despite the fact that the toughest fight against graffiti was observed in the UK, it was here that the famous artist nicknamed “Banksy”, who was nicknamed the art terrorist, appeared. The most interesting thing is that after many years struggle, his works were included in cultural heritage UK. The artist has gained worldwide fame, he exhibits in all countries, the cost of his works reaches millions of dollars. But even despite this, his identity has not yet been revealed.
Police officers load Banksy's work into a car. New York, 2014 A fierce struggle against street painting is also taking place in the East. In Iran and Israel, this art direction is persecuted by law. And in Singapore the student American school sentenced to 4 years in prison. At the same time, in Hong Kong a writer (graffiti writer - graffiti artist) named Tsang Tsu Choi, who received the nickname “King of Kowloon”, is highly respected, and some of his works are under official protection.
The other side: the emergence of graffiti as a new art direction
One of the first famous artists It is generally accepted that Jean Michel Basquiat began his career with wall drawings. He left short phrases with deep meaning throughout New York, for which he gained fame. The project ended with the phrase “SAMO IS DEAD”, after which a new stage began in the artist’s life. They, together with Andy Warhol, used stenciling techniques to apply images to walls.
Among his contemporaries, the street writer nicknamed “Banksy”, whose identity is still shrouded in mystery, gained particular fame. He raises topical issues and ridicules the absurdity of situations in modern politics. Many of his works have been recognized as world masterpieces.
Materials and creation techniques
Modern writers use a number of tools:
- spray paint (and many application techniques)
- markers
- rollers
- brushes
- stickers
- cardboard stencils, etc.
Magnetic LEDs and projections of drawings were used as an experiment. Artists are engaged not only in restoration, but also in the transformation of old works, using a new application technique. “Yarnbombing” involves the use of knitwear that is attached to a pattern. The result is something intermediate between classic graffiti and installation.
Types and styles of classic graffiti
Certain application techniques have received their own names. “Tag” is a basic technique that involves the writer’s signature and his name. This is also where the “graffiti tagging” technique comes from, which is one of the most popular on at the moment. The inscription can have initials or messages, letters, calligraphy. “Pissing” is a type of tagging that involves filling an empty fire extinguisher with paint and then applying a design with it. The difficulty with this technique is that it is too massive, which often makes it look sloppy.
“Trow-up”, also known as “bombing”, is drawn quickly, with one or several colors. The main thing here is to quickly apply the drawing, sometimes sacrificing its quality. “Masterpiece” is a complex rendition of the writer’s name. “Roller” or “blockbuster” are massive works performed in a printed manner. When creating them, rollers and rollers are used; with the help of this technique, the paint is applied to the entire surface of the wall or object. “Wildstyle” is one of the most complex types of graffiti. It is characterized by intricate letterforms intertwined together with serifs. Separately, mention should be made of the phenomenon of “capping,” which involves covering one image with another. This method is used to damage other people's work and is not welcomed among graffiti writers.
Blockbuster
Masterpiece
Graffiti is a separate world where people communicate in their own language. They carry messages, reflect reality, make you think or smile. To love this direction or be against it is everyone’s individual choice.
Every year the number of painted walls in our cities is rapidly increasing. This means that graffiti art is attracting more and more more people, and more specifically, the youth. Everyone who draws on walls calls themselves graffiti artists or writers, but not all of them are such. Many people start drawing only because it has become fashionable, and not everyone is good at it. As for the real masters, they didn’t give a damn about fashion. They are not looking for fame and recognition, but simply paint, leaving stunning pictures on the walls of the city.
If you have the desire and a little ability, then drawing graffiti will not be difficult. First, we draw a sketch (sketch), then, using paint, we transfer it to the wall. Very often there are significant differences between the sketch and the final result (graffiti on the wall). And some people don’t need sketches at all, they just pick up a can of paint and improvise. It just so happens that the Latin alphabet is used for inscriptions in graffiti, although there are also those who create beautiful inscriptions in Russian.
The art of graffiti is multifaceted and, like any other art, there are several directions. It is quite difficult to be able to draw in all directions, and not at all necessary, although some professionals believe that a real master should be able to do everything. So what are these directions?
Tagging - applying your own signature (tag) to walls, other cars, surfaces you like. It can be either one word or a whole phrase. Tagging is the ancestor of modern graffiti, originating in the 70s in New York.
Scratching - applying your tag to glass. This direction is similar to the previous one, but in the latter case the inscription is made not with paint, but with a stone (mainly for sharpening knives) or, for example, with rough sandpaper on glass. It is impossible to erase or remove such a drawing (scratch), and this is perhaps its only advantage.
Bombing is the quick application of designs on any surface. The main thing here is speed, everything needs to be done as quickly as possible. Actually, bombing is illegal, and those who “bomb” risk getting caught by the police, and therefore they paint mostly at night, when no one sees them, and, of course, they do it very quickly.
Concept drawing is the most complex direction in graffiti, somewhat similar to traditional painting. These are complex works that combine inscriptions and drawings. Most often, making such drawings is legal, as it requires a large amount of time and money. New School style belongs to this direction.
Draw in style
In addition to trends, there are also graffiti styles. Here are the most basic ones:
Old School - simple styles closer to the classics.
Flat – flat drawing. When drawing in this style, the work turns out flat, not three-dimensional, the letters overlap each other. Usually they draw in two colors and do not detail the picture.
Bubble style – the history of the name of this style is very long. The name came from the first drawings, the letters of which looked like huge bubbles. Now this is the name for all simple graffiti, no complex elements, the color scheme is usually limited to two or three colors. The letters do not overlap each other; sometimes they are depicted in a “volumetric” style. This style of graffiti is mainly used for bombing. As they say, simple and fast.
Blockbusters and Throw-up - here size matters. The inscriptions made in this style are huge. To draw them, use a roller and wide caps.
Newschool - more modern and sophisticated styles.
Wild style – a style of high complexity. The interweaving of letters creates complex and original patterns, there is a certain illusion of three-dimensionality, there are details that make it difficult to understand the design, and a huge variety of colors. All this leads to the fact that not everyone can understand the drawing; it is most difficult for people unfamiliar with graffiti.
3D-style, FX-style is a combination of styles. The letters are given three-dimensionality, they differ in shape, size and location relative to the coordinate axis, the emphasis is on shadows.
Many graffiti artists use objects in their works in addition to inscriptions. The object can show off in the picture, replacing one letter, or be present in the picture in addition to the inscription. Writers also draw characs - a character they created, their “calling card”.
Letter of the law
Graffiti and the law are not always found common language. For example, decoration club, holding various competitions and participating in them are absolutely legal. Even if your neighbor asked you to paint his garage and dog house, this is also legal. As for everything else, serious problems can arise here. If you drew in the wrong place and you were caught, then officially you fall under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: Art. 167 - intentional destruction or damage to property, Art. 214 – vandalism, Art. 243 - destruction or damage to cultural historical monuments. According to these articles, the fine is 100,000 rubles, and in addition, you may be arrested. This is if everything is official. In fact, everything can be decided with a much smaller amount of money than 100,000 rubles put into the pocket of a policeman’s uncle. In Moscow, for example, it is much easier to get rid of law enforcement officers than in St. Petersburg, where the beauty of the city is monitored very carefully. But there is a chance not to get caught, even if you draw in a public place during daylight hours. The main thing is to be careful and clearly understand where you can draw and where it is strictly prohibited. There is, of course, another option, if you don’t want to give away money - drop everything, put your feet in your hands and go!
Choosing a place for drawing
Finding a good surface to paint on is very important. Firstly, you draw not only for yourself, but also so that your creation can be seen and noticed. Therefore, you need a surface in a public place. Secondly, don't forget about safety. Here the question arises: how to find a balance between this very safety and the popularity of your drawings? Try to find a place where the drawing will be seen, but you (while creating this drawing) will not. It's not easy, but it's possible.
Location is not the only criterion by which a surface for graffiti is chosen. The type of material you are going to paint on is also very important. An uneven surface such as a fence with an ornament, metal or unpainted wood is not suitable for painting. Do not draw on rust or whitewash, because then your drawings will not be called long-lived; they will disappear along with the top layer. But what really works is porous concrete (not to be confused with concrete slabs). And if you want to create the most suitable surface for drawing, prime it. And if you still decide to paint on metal, then you should take the trouble to degrease it so that the paint adheres better. Try not to draw in the rain and cold. The surface must remain dry. And in the cold the paint does not adhere well and dries slowly. And my hands are cold too.
How to draw
First let's talk about paints. They are sold in cylinders of different sizes (from 0.4 to 0.6 liters). Here are the most common:
Paint name Comment Average price
Abro One of the cheapest paints, fades quickly. Suitable for those who are not yet going to spend a lot on graffiti and do not expect longevity of the work. 105 rub.
Abro Sabotage Lasts a little longer than Abro. But the smell of paint is not the best, and is more suitable for female caps. 85 rub.
Montana Black One of the best colors. The new Montana Black is ideal for graffiti, hardly fades, adheres well and lasts a long time. 185 rub.
MTN Hardcore Suitable for bombing lovers. Quickly fills the surface with color due to high pressure. 170 rub.
MTN 94 Excellent paint, semi-matte, ideal for painting. The unique valve system allows you to regulate the pressure. 185 rub.
Belton Molotow Excellent paint, wide range of colors, perfect for use at low temperatures. A separate disadvantage is the rather high price. 205 rub.
If you see such names - Rust-Oleum, Dutch Boy, Red Devil, Sparvar - don’t be alarmed, these are also good paints, but they are rare in Russia.
Beginners usually use Montana for outlines and Abro for filling. It turns out decent and inexpensive. I strongly advise you not to buy Fiesta, King or Pride paints at auto stores; they are simply not suitable for wall art. It's too runny and dries slowly, so it will run and won't be able to cover the bottom color.
For outlining in bombing, you can also use a unique product that we sell - Mastic. Large volume, low price.
There is also the possibility of mixing colors. This is mainly done by professionals. A very good way to save and receive desired color. For example, they mix expensive and cheap paint, or when there is little paint left in different cylinders, it is poured from one cylinder to another. Transfusion technology is not simple, so beginners should not experiment. In general terms, paint is poured like this: the container from which the paint is poured is heated, and the container into which the paint is poured is cooled, then connected with a ballpoint pen and pressed...
As you already understand, paint alone is not enough. And besides paint, there are many more interesting things.
Caps are nozzles for spraying paint. They come in tonic and wide varieties. The former are designed for drawing contours, and the latter for creating a good, uniform fill, this is especially helpful when working with large surfaces. In principle, these caps are quite enough for creating graffiti, but if you want more variety and originality, you can purchase a set of calligraphic caps. They are designed for capital fonts, they have a rotating sprayer, and can be used to draw lines of varying thicknesses at different angles. There are two types of caps: male and female. Female caps have a hole in the base and fit onto a pin at the top of the cylinder. Male cap, on the contrary, is equipped with such a pin. Everything becomes extremely clear if you know the translation of the words male and female). A male cap is suitable for Montana, Belton and Abro cylinders, and a female cap is suitable for Abro Sabotage. Keep in mind that caps tend to become clogged with paint, so have a backup with you just in case. Some people make caps themselves. For example, to make an ultra-skinny (thin) cap, it is enough to solder a needle from a syringe into the spray hole. But the average price of one cap is about 15 rubles, so it’s easier to go to the store and not bother with a soldering iron.
A respirator is a reliable means of dealing with a chemical attack) But seriously, it is indispensable when working with paint, it is extremely harmful to the lungs. It is recommended to wear it both when working in confined spaces and outdoors. Without it, you can get asthma. As for the choice of a respirator, the choice mainly falls on the M3 company, and the price fluctuates around 1,500 rubles. If you need something cheaper, you can buy Soviet gas masks for 150 rubles, they will save you from everything. There is also an option for a Chinese mask - it is very cheap, 15 rubles. But the quality here is the same as the price.
Vandalizer is a wide marker, ideal for drawing on smooth surfaces. It is mainly used for tags. It is also good for correcting flaws or errors in the drawing, if any. But it’s better not to write on rough surfaces; it will erase quickly. The most popular vandalizer companies among graffiti artists are Montana, BOMB, On The Run or Aerosol Art. In the store you will have to pay from 150 to 250 rubles for them. The marker can be refilled. A paint palette (8-12 refills) costs 500 rubles. If the marker tip has become unusable, it can also be replaced. I do not recommend painting with a vandalizer larger than L on rough surfaces; it will be very difficult to find a new tip for it. Graffiti artists are also craftsmen, so they can even make a vandalizer themselves. They use a shoe marker as a starting material, only they pour the paint into it themselves. And in order for the paint to mix with the solvent, they throw a steel ball there, for example, from a mouse or a bearing. To extend the life of the tag, gaffitists apply a layer of wax to it (for example, using an ordinary candle). Some people manage to make permanent paint by pouring a mixture of cheap varnish and varnish remover into a marker. One can only guess about the proportions...
A stencil is a ready-made template for your drawing. You can cut it at home from a piece of linoleum or cardboard. First you need to come up with a sketch, then transfer it to cardboard or linoleum. Can be applied to the wall using a stencil original drawings or draw tags in an extremely short time.
Gloves - to stay clean. No matter how hard you try to draw carefully and according to all the rules, you will still get dirty. When sprayed, the paint will still fall on your hands or drip from the top of the can, especially if you haven’t changed the cap for a long time. If you are not afraid of getting dirty and you are not allergic to paint, then you don’t have to wear gloves in the summer. Although there is nothing difficult about buying a pair at the pharmacy medical gloves for 2 rubles and you don’t have to wash off the paint afterwards.
To avoid making mistakes
So you've bought some paint, found a suitable surface to paint on, and are eager to get started. Have you forgotten anything? There's one more thing you should consider:
Do not paint over the writing on the wall with a single color unless the sketch requires it. Graffiti paint is opaque, so it will cover anything. Even white can paint over black.
Don't forget the background! Many novice writers make this mistake: they start with an outline and then paint over it. The result is, to put it mildly, not very pretty. To prevent the same thing from happening to you, first draw a sketch using the background color of the main inscription, then the background, then the outline.
Sometimes it happens that the paint flows. If you start stopping it with your hands, sleeves, etc., this is unlikely to save your drawing. The best option is to wait until the paint dries and then paint over the drips. in the right color. You can also grab an ordinary sponge from home and, if the paint suddenly runs, blot the drips.
Caps should be cleaned after each use. To do this, turn the cylinder over and hold the cap pressed for five seconds. The paint will stop coming out, and then you can safely put the can aside. But if you haven’t done this, you can throw away the cap, it’s no longer good for anything.
Before starting work, test the paint, otherwise you may ruin the drawing. Spray paint on the ground or another area of the wall that you won't need to check to see if the cap is in order, installed correctly, etc. And if the container is new, then precautions are doubly necessary, since in the first seconds of drawing it can “spit” paint.
Writers also have their own “code of honor” and must be observed. Never touch other people's work, no matter what it is. Don't sign other people's drawings and don't spoil clean walls.
It is best to start by priming the working surface so that the paint adheres better and nothing unnecessary remains on the wall (for example, old drawings). For primer, you can use enamel or water-based paint. Enamel is a better option, since it is more durable than water-based emulsion, and the colors on it are brighter. It can be used as a background by adding a little different paint, thereby creating the desired color.
Details Category: Variety of styles and movements in art and their features Published 09.12.2014 18:43 Views: 4877Today, graffiti is considered a form of street art and one of the most popular forms of artistic expression around the world.
There are different styles and types of graffiti. Graffiti has already established itself as an independent genre contemporary art and as part of culture and urban lifestyle. In many countries and cities, writers create real masterpieces on city streets.
Graffiti is often used to convey political and social nature. However, you should be aware that in most countries of the world, applying graffiti to someone's property without the permission of the owner of that property is considered vandalism and is punishable by law.
The history of graffiti goes back a long way. But first things first.
Origin of the term
(from Italian graffito, plural graffiti) - images, drawings or inscriptions scratched or drawn with paint (ink) on walls and other surfaces. Graffiare (Italian) – “to scratch.”
And currently the most popular spray art, drawing graffiti using spray paint. In ancient times, graffiti was applied to walls using a sharp object, chalk or coal.
History of graffiti
Everyone knows that wall inscriptions existed in the countries of the Ancient East, in Greece, in Rome.
The earliest graffiti dates back to the 30th millennium BC. These are prehistoric cave paintings and pictographs painted on walls. The drawings were made in ritual and sacred places inside the caves. Most often they depicted animals or hunting scenes. The Safan language, which existed from the 1st century. BC to the 4th century n. e., only survived in the form of graffiti - inscriptions scratched on rocks in southern Syria, eastern Jordan and northern Saudi Arabia.
Graffiti in ancient Pompeii: caricature of an official
Ancient graffiti has also been preserved in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus (the territory of modern Turkey). There is Viking graffiti.
What did ancient people write about? About the same things they write about now: about love, about politics and about other pressing matters. They wrote the same way: with grammatical and spelling errors. There are inscriptions like “Vasya was here.” There's nothing new under the sun!
What was the situation with graffiti in Rus'? Wonderful! In Novgorod there are 10 graffiti of the 11th century, and in Kyiv (Ancient Rus') there are about 300 graffiti of the 11th-15th centuries. are located in the Cathedral of St. Sofia. They talk about the political events of that time.
IN modern form graffiti appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. - in the New York subway, and then on freight cars and in underground passages. Since then, graffiti has become part of pop culture and has become associated with hip-hop, hardcore, beatdown and breakdancing music. For many, graffiti is a way of life, hidden from the public and incomprehensible to others. Political activists used graffiti to spread their ideas.
By the 1970s, the popularity of graffiti had grown greatly, and new styles began to be distinguished. The first writer to gain fame was TAKI 183, a teenager from the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan. His tag TAKI 183 consisted of his name Demetrius (or Demetraki, Taki) and the number of the street where he lived - 183. Taki worked as a courier, and wherever he went by subway, he left his tags everywhere. He gained a lot of followers.
Gradually, the style of tagging began to become more complex, new styles of graffiti began to appear, and the movement itself acquired a competitive nature.
More complex tag
In this regard, city authorities began to fight graffiti artists. After all, not all the work was skillful enough, and graffiti began to be identified with the littering of city streets - scribbles on the walls were equated with garbage, landfills and desolation. Huge amounts of money were spent on combating graffiti. But at the same time, sometimes writers created such complex and beautiful graffiti on store facades that store owners did not dare to paint over them. In some countries, special places were allocated for writers on the streets, in underground passages, etc., where they could freely express themselves.
“Legal graffiti” in Stroud (England)
The question of whether graffiti is an art form began to be seriously discussed. Meanwhile, graffiti began to conquer more and more space: it began to be used in computer advertising, in video games, in the design of skateboards, clothing and shoes.
Graffiti has become widespread throughout the world. Today, Sao Paulo (Brazil) is considered the capital of graffiti and a place of inspiration for writers from all over the world.
Graffiti in Olinda (Brazil)
What about in Russia?
The massive modern graffiti movement in Russia dates back to the 1980s. In 2006, an international graffiti festival was held in St. Petersburg. And in large cities of Russia, annual graffiti festivals are held. Let's talk about one of them.
Snickers Urbania (SNICKERS URBANIA)– annual youth festival of street culture. The festival was first held in 2001 and includes the main areas of street culture: extreme sports, graffiti, breakdancing, beatboxing, freestyle. His goal: to give a chance modern youth express yourself and your talent, as well as provide the opportunity to try your hand at professional equipment for extreme sports. The festival was held in the largest cities of Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd, Samara, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, as well as in Kazakhstan - Almaty.
BombART site
In the early 1980s. stencil graffiti was also born. It is created by cutting shapes from a hard, dense material. The finished stencil is applied to the canvas and aerosol paint is sprayed over it with quick, light and precise movements. This technique has become popular due to its fast execution.
The most important tool in graffiti is spray paint in cans. Use paint rollers and stencils, brushes, markers, wax rods, crayons, etc.
Graffiti in the modern world
Most graffiti is done on the streets (building walls, underground passages, garages, payphone booths, parked cars, asphalt pavement in courtyards, etc.); on transport; in entrances and staircases (including apartment doors, mailboxes, etc.); in the interiors of institutions.
Very slowly, but graffiti is beginning to acquire the status of a socially neutral phenomenon and is perceived as an integral element of a modern metropolis, a mass cultural phenomenon. It loses the meaning of protest. The language of graffiti is becoming a universal code of urban communication.
Types and styles of graffiti
Tagging is a quick application of the author's signature on a surface. A separate signature is called a “tag” (from the English tag - mark). Teggers are not very interested in the meaning and aesthetics of their creations; the main thing is to leave as many “autographs” as possible. Often tags are incomprehensible to people not privy to the details.
Writers value tags placed in hard-to-reach but visible places. The command tag is called "single".
Lettering is usually applied using spray paint or thick markers. Experienced writers can write a tag in 2-3 seconds.
Wild(English: Wildstyle - wild style). The main feature This style features intricate tangles of letters, sharp corners, splinters and arrows. The name of the style was given by the nature of the drawing: wild, incomprehensible, since often the letters are so intertwined and many extraneous elements are introduced that readability becomes zero. From the wild there is a 3D Wildstyle (volume is added to the regular wild).
Graffiti is now widely recognized as part of youth culture, but in the 70s, when the New York experiments were just beginning, everyone watched the daily tattooing of the city and could not imagine where it all could lead. Some saw this only as vandalism and degradation of the city. But for the writers who risked their lives, were arrested, and the youth, directors, and ultimately the curators who admired it, graffiti was an art form. Galleries and museums only caught up with this point of view in the early 80s, when graffiti became part of the artistic boom era.
By the mid-1970s, many subway cars were covered in top-to-bottom designs (also called “masterpieces”), making it impossible to see what was going on outside from inside the subway car. For the writers it was golden time, it was then that the most nimble and prolific could become “kings” by going through the “all-city” (the entire city - author’s note.), writing their name on all five boroughs of New York. Mayor Lindsay declared the first war on graffiti in 1972, a slow start that slowly came to a head in May 1989 when the last graffitied train was finally taken out of service.
Today, graffiti is being wiped off with solvent from the windows of subway cars, and yet it is still alive and well on the outskirts of the city. And thanks largely to the Internet, which is teeming with graffiti sites, it has become a worldwide phenomenon.
The Beginning (1969)
Ivor L. Miller, author of Aerosol Kingdom: Subway Painters of New York City: People have been writing symbols on walls since time immemorial. But it's safest to point to its origins in New York City in the late '60s, when the younger generation provided an artistic response to the public Black Power protests and civil rights movements. Undoubtedly, something new appeared with the introduction of paint cans, the influence of psychedelic posters and the advent of color television. The Manhattanville Projects, which were north of 125th Street in West Harlem, were home to a very important writer named TOPCAT 126.
Sharp: TOPCAT 126 came from Philadelphia in the late 60s, possibly 1968. He started tagging in the streets, then hooked up with Julio 204 and TAKI 183 and together they lit a fire
.C.A.T. 87: In the late 60s, I saw little letters with the name TAKI 183 everywhere, JOE 182 and Julio 204. One day I was playing on 182nd street and JOE 182 came out. He was one of the hottest writers back then. He said, “Look what they write in the newspapers!” There was a cartoon of a guy caught painting on the wall and saying, "Are you JOE 182?" And the writer answered him, “No, I’m his ghost.” Because no one could catch him. He was a very mysterious person.
MICO: We started out in different areas, but we all had one thing in common: we all wanted to be famous. I started painting in East Flatbush in 1970. Then I slowly met people from all four districts. Everyone came to the writers' bench at 149th Street and the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. And there was another bench for Brooklyn writers on Atlantic Avenue. In Washington Heights, these were benches at 188th Street and Audubon Avenue. We just went out for a walk, looked at our work, and anyone could come up and get our autograph. C.A.T. 87 was from Washington Heights. TRACY 168 was from the first generation. COCO 144 usually resided at 144th Street and Broadway, hence the number 144.
LEE: I met a lot of people sitting on a bench on 149th Street. At that time it was very easy, everyone came and told stories.
I grew up in the Bronx. My friend FJC4 and I carried legal documents around Queens - his father was a lawyer and during these walks we pulled out markers. We never thought that we would see our tag again, but on the way back we came across the same train and someone had already put a new signature next to our tag. It was like communication. At that time, New York was plunged into darkness. We had beefy veterans returning from Vietnam, we had war protests and we had street gangs.
C.A.T. 87: I was in the Savage Nomads gang. We had the Saints on 137th and Broadway, and the Young Galaxies were based on 170th. But I was a C.A.T. 87 and the guys from other areas saw my name and instead of trying to beat me they asked for autographs.
Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation: Many gangs had graffiti writers, especially the largest gangs such as the Black Spades, Savage Skulls and Ghetto Brothers. They marked the territory and painted the vests of the participants. At the same time, there were graffiti teams that moved separately from the gangs and could cross their territorial boundaries. In the end, gangs have outlived their usefulness and graffiti writers can be considered the harbingers of a new era.
MICO: We didn't call it graffiti in the early seventies. We just said, “Let's go paint tonight.” Graffiti is a term coined by the New York Times and it denigrates art because it was a color invented by youth. If this had been invented by the children of rich and powerful parents, they would have labeled it avant-garde Pop Art.
Hugo Martinez, founder of United Graffiti Artists: In 1971, when CAY 161 and JUNIOR 161 painted the wall at the 116th Street station from top to bottom. This moment is significant. And Norman Mailer wrote about this in the book “The Faith of Graffiti” - this was the first book that was dedicated to graffiti. Around 1971, CAY 161 also painted the angel wing on the Bethesda fountain, in Central Park. Everyone was talking about it. This was the moment when the Puerto Ricans took over the Bethesda fountain.
You need the largest and most dangerous place for your drawing to be recognized as the most. I wrote my name in white paint on the angel's wing at the Bethesda fountain and a lot of people said, "Wow, how did he get up there and do that?" I pulled myself up on one wing and climbed up.
Richard Goldstein, author of the article “The Graffiti ‘Hit’ Parade”: I liked the idea that graffiti is the deterioration of surfaces and I recreated it in a different form. It was very creative in how it brings new look old spaces, abandoned buildings, dilapidated underground passages and turns them into real centers of energy. I found Hugo Martinez, who was a student at the time, and he introduced me to a couple of kids in the subject. They were all from Washington Heights. And I started looking at the social aspect of it all. This allowed people to unite and create teams. And all this had its own jargon, there was a competitive spirit between regions.
War of Styles (1971)
Jeff Chang: Your name is your brand, and writing your name is like printing money. Quality (aesthetic style) and quantity (the number of trains and walls you made) are the main ways that a brand's market share grows. If you are the most big name on the line or in the area, then you are the king. After the New York Times reported on the Taki 183, there was more competition, prompting a faster change in style.
LEE: This was a reflection of the great side of capitalism, where everyone wanted the biggest portfolio of stocks or bonds, or the fastest or most expensive car.
MICO: In 1971, I spent one night in Sheepshead Bay, the tunnel where trains stop during rush hour. And we found the names PAN 144, COCO 144, and ACE 137 on some trains. The paint was still fresh. It opened our eyes to how the whole city could be done.
: I lived near the IRT, and there was a septic tank between 137th and 145th streets, between the stops. We sneaked in there every Saturday and Sunday morning and destroyed the trains inside and out. We then called my style a hit (from English - hit): just a signature in one line.
MICO: “Hitting” (from English - hitting) was just a way to rise up and shine around. The more hits you made, the more famous you became. "Murder" (from English - killing) or "bombing" (from English - bombing) were a little more varied. This meant decorating the walls of the area - with hundreds of hits from MICO, MICO, MICO and killing a subway car. Or you could make a full-fledged piece (from English - masterpiece), a really large piece that you planned out starting from the sketch.
I was the first to use a stencil. It was a COCO 144 stencil with a crown on top. I tried to develop speed and I drew my name around this way much faster.
MICO: The letters became more sophisticated, larger and longer. Each tried to outdo the other. I was engaged in social and political work and, unfortunately, I had no competition in this area. One of the most important points I consider my career to be formed by United Graffiti Artists.
Hugo Martinez: I conceived United Graffiti Artists in 1972 as a collective that could provide an alternative to the art world. I saw this as the beginning of American painting, among other things, long before it all appeared in Europe. These children were full of hippie ideas about love, peace, freedom and the democratization of culture, redefining the purpose of art. They represented the triumph of the salt of the earth over private property.
MICO: It was a union of the best writers with different areas. You could become a participant, if you were good enough, then you were invited for an interview. I had my first exhibition in Soho, at the Razor gallery. The first canvas that I sold to a collector for 400 Baku was a canvas with an image of the Puerto Rican flag. It was an attempt to bring a form of underground art to galleries.
LEE: Most of the writers were more concerned with the development of elements, they did not think about getting together on the gallery walls. Young people were interested in creating a brand, literally, on their own territory. This position looked heroic.
That's all for today,
Expect a continuation of this story soon...
