Graffiti is usually spray painted on sides of buildings, subways, and public bathrooms. Artists are now posting their art on the web, creating their own galleries, including Graffiti artists. Though the tags are interesting to look at, if your not a Graffiti Writer you might not be able to decipher the message in the art. Some people might think that Graffiti is just another form of vandalism, but its actually a unique language that has many styles when using words.
In Graffiti you have to be able to read and write(duh), be current with the slang expressed in your culture, and actually be have the knack for drawing. The image above shows the Graffiti form called "Wild style", which is interlocking letters and arrows. The letters are abstract,yet can create a profound statement when used with bright colors, and vivid images to surround it. One of the most famous taggers was Taki 183, real name Demetrius, a young Greek guy who in New York 1960's and 70's had his signature on many subways, walls, and buildings. He paved the way for more artists to tag their messages as well as create new forms:Chinese graff, Wiggles Bboy, Shadow, Puzzle and Flava.
American/Web Slang:
* props - "respect, recognition" (example. Gotta give that girl props for her website
*off the hinges - "similar to off the hook, something is outstanding, great" (example. "Yo, that concert was off the hinges!")
* warez - The DE facto standard term for a piece of pirated software/music/movies copied from a friend or downloaded from the Internet. (example. This website has a huge abundance of warez on it!)
*dot gone - unsuccessful Internet company (example. ex. pets.com)
Tagging is a way of communicating with your audience by sharing your views through art which is like showing them a piece of yourself. Taggers can use their art and words to protest against the government, express religious beliefs, or any issues involving their neighborhood. Gangs use Graffiti as a way to communicate with rival gangs when fighting over territory. The signature is like the symbol representing the gang, its like saying "Hey stay off my turf." When I was in middle school the boys in my class would pass notes, knowing that the teacher would have a hard time understanding the messages.
There are Graffiti Programs let kids express themselves in a secure environment for tagging (legally) as long as they stay in school. Some kids have problems with reading, and writing, because there is lack of creative methods from teachers when presenting the lessons. The reason why Graffiti is popular with each new generation is that there are no strict rules for spelling or use of certain words.
There seems to be a never ending list of do's and don'ts in grammar: Capitalize this, how to use nouns, adverbs in sentences, "i" before "e" except after "c".... You can shape and chop up words into your own design when tagging. This freedom can be a big relief for artists who don't want to be forced to use prefect grammar or to emphasise the theme in their art piece.
Graffiti is like poetry, words can be repeated as well as images.Like a kid learning how to write his/her name, A tagger has to get the shape of each letter to match the style of Graffiti writing he wants to use. Practicing does make prefect, its a skill that is tough yet exciting to master.
Though, the downside is that Graffiti though a big community, it limits their audience, the individuals who might not understand Tagging lingo or read the words through the variety of styles. The message in the art piece could be lost. This is up to the Graffiti artists to post information on the web to explain the Graffiti Culture, to gain more members of this amazing groups of taggers. This is not just an art but a "visual language."
Sources I used:"History of Graffiti www.hiphopnet.com, www.slabgsite.com,
Image from www.2about.com/dqueens- "Art TourMusesums and Art Gallery of Long
Island City, Queens by John Roleve. Other image: www.drunkenfist.com)
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