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Graffiti art

Graffiti originally wasterm usedinscriptions, figure drawings, etc., found onwallsancient sepulchers or ruins, as inCatacombs, or at Pompeii. But has evolvedinclude any decorations inscribed on rocks or walls thatconsideredbe vandalism. However, some people consider graffiti, or some graffiti, an art form; thisusually denoted as urban Aerosol Art.

The practicesgraffiti andconsidering graffiti as artgenerally related tosub-culture that rebels against extant societal authorities, or against authority as such.

Graffiti artconsidered one offour elementsHip Hop. Graffiti tagging existedPhiladelphia in1960's, pioneered by CornbreadCool Earl. Another Philadelphia product, Top Cat, later exportedcharacteristic Philly stylescript (tall, slender letteringplatforms atbottom)NYC wheregained populariy as "Broadway Elegant". It wasn't untilreached popularity inNew York City subway system thattook on an extravagant artistic role, expanding from tagsfull-blown "pieces". One oforiginatorsNew York graffiti was TAKI 183;foot messenger who would tag his nickname around New York streets that he daily frequented en route. A Greek-American, Taki was his nickname, diminutiveDemetrius, he took183 from his address. After being showcased inNY Times,"tag" (stylized signature) was being mimicked by hundredsurban youth within months. It should be noted that there were other writers activeNYC before Taki, but he broughtmost attention tomovement. Withinnovationart, andcravinggainwidest audience, attempts by taggers were made. What developed wasstrict adherencespraypaint, sampling foreign calligraphy, andmuch anticipated mural (that usually covered an entire subway car). The artist was born, called"writer,"so were groupsassociated artists, called "crews". The movement spread tostreets, returned torailroads where tagging was popularized by Hobos, spread nationwide withaidmediaRap music; thus, being yet mimicked again worldwide.

Becauseshare similar spacesmedia, graffiti artoften confusedgang graffiti. Theredifferencesboth formintent. The purposegraffiti artself-expressioncreativity,may involve highly stylized letter forms drawnmarkers, or crypticcolorful spray paint murals on walls, buildings,even freight trains. Graffiti artists striveimprove their art, whichconstantly changingprogressing. The purposegang graffiti, onother hand, ismark territorial boundaries,is therefore limited togang's neighborhood;does not presuppose artistic intent.

Graffitisubjectdifferent societal pressures from popularly-recognized art forms, since graffiti appears on walls, freeways, buildings, trains or any accessible surfaces thatnot owned by, or undercontrol ofperson who appliesgraffiti. So graffiti incorporates elements rarely seen elsewhere. Spray paintbroad permanent markerscommonly used, andorganizational structure ofartsometimes influenced byneedapplyart quickly before itnoticed by authorities. In an effortreduce vandalism, many cities have designated walls or areas exclusivelyuse by graffiti artists. This discourages petty vandalism yet encourages artiststake their timeproduce great art, without worrybeing caught or arrested.

Inearly 1980s,combination ofbooming art market andrenewed interestpainting resulted inrise offew graffiti artistsart-star status. Jean-Michel Basquiat,former street-artist known by his "Samo" tag,Keith Haring,professionally-trained artist who adoptedgraffiti style, were two ofmost widely recognized graffiti artists.

More recently graffiti art has resurfaced infar more overtly politicized form insubvertisingculture jamming movementspractitioners such as Alexander Brener. Other graffiti artists like Banksymore ironictheir usepolitical imagery, who recently acceptedcommission from Greenpeaceoffers piecessale.

Note: graffiti ispluralgraffito, butsingular formrarely heard.

If you wantknowresults from 250 yearsgraffiti-research spanning 50 000 yearshuman visual-sign development) from last 26 years useURLs listed below.

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