Graffiti Art - An article review.

"Graffiti Art" - by George C. Stowers

   This is an article written by a student in an aesthetics class regarding the classification of graffiti as real art.  The author makes a point to confront the argument that graffiti is not art because of illegality, incoherence, and nonstandard presentation.  He argues that it should certainly be considered an art form because, despite often being illegal, it is an expression of an artist's beliefs.  He says that graffiti communicates the artist's identity, expressions, and ideas.
     As an approach to those who may view graffiti not as an art form, he begins by asking them to "suppose that one of these famous artists decided to paint a masterpiece on the side of your house or on your front door or on a wall in your neighborhood."  He then poses the question, "Would Picasso or Monet's markings be graffiti or art or vandalism or graffiti art?"  This kind of situation causes the reader to question their definition of graffiti, as well as position on its credibility.  
     The author then expands upon the history of graffiti, and also explains different types of graffiti.  Throughout his explanations, he offers historical examples of graffiti, such as his reference to the early graffiti found on Egyptian monuments and the walls of Pompeii.  He expands upon the aesthetic and non-aesthetic qualities of graffiti, as well as continuing to cite the history of it.  
     The author argues further that since graffiti can be "analyzed according to the elements of lines, color, and structures that are present in the work in order to produce a narrative about it," it is certainly considered a legitimate form of art.  He says that graffiti not only communicates an author's message to his audience, but also acts to beautify communities by appearing in places that would otherwise be aesthetically unpleasant.  He concludes his own argument with the statement that "all of the aesthetic properties and criteria from the base element of color to the complex issue of artist intention which are ascribed to other works in order to characterize them as art can all be found in examples of spraycan art," before referencing other artists who share his favoring view of graffiti as an art form.  He sums up his stance, saying that "recognition of graffiti art by the art world is important for two reasons. One because of the social, political, and economic influence of the art world, its recognition of graffiti art as art helps to increase the awareness and overall understanding of the art form. Two, this recognition prevents the sweeping generalization that all graffiti is vandalism and therefore something that always should be eradicated."
     Though the author did not mention it, when reading this article, I also consider the fantastically realistic chalk drawings shown throughout the internet and forwarded through e-mail daily.  Surely, by it's definition, it is considered graffiti, but most have such an appreciation and an awe of it that they don't think to consider it inappropriate or non-aesthetic, as many people consider graffiti.  
     The article opened my eyes the different types of art surrounding us in our world that we may not realize on first glance is art.  I will certainly think back to it the next time I pass beneath a beautifully, (and, as always, expressively) spray-painted overpass.






George C. Stowers.  "Graffit Art."  Hiphop Network.  Fall 1997.  16 Sept. 2011.  <http://www.hiphop-network.com/articles/graffitiarticles/graffitiart.asp>