A few days ago whist making my way though the crazy world of cyber space, I literally
"stumbled upon" an article which really got the little (and usually unmoving) gears in my head whirling out of control. Graffiti. Commonly associated with
vandalism or
destruction of property.
The word itself is derived from the Latin word
graffito meaning "to write." The literal definition of Graffiti would be a mark, a title or inscription on a surface. Yet
www.wordnet.princeton.edu defines graffiti as:
A rude decoration inscribed on rocks or walls.
Rude decoration...really?
From my understanding, when explorers come across an ancient cave in which the walls are collaged with charcoal drawings and stone scribbles, those are not considered rude decorations. In fact most people consider those too be "historical" and "art." Imagine that back then people had erased their art. We would have little information about their ancient culture.
Isn't that what our street artists are trying too do? Trying to maintain a memory through street art in the world we live in?
Graffiti is a form of art. Though it may not be considered art to one person, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
On top of that, what else do we use back ally ways and side streets for anyways?- other than a garbage dumps. These kinds of places can be used as open canvases to some of the most ingenius graffiti artists (not to mention our word can use a little more colour). Take graffiti alley for instance, its a little back road running parallel to Queen West were a sign is mounted reading
"Artists Welcome." Graff alley-which used to be the most grundgy of side streets- is now one of Torontos most famous tourists attractions. At Graff Alley all graffiti artists are welcome to express themselves on any unpainted part of wall they can find. Murals can be found spanding over multiple buildings promoting love, beauty, peace or rep'in some hidden message in masses of colours and graphics. e.g."Old Gus Never Rust"
But most of the time it is not graffiti artists who are found in Graff Alley, photographers, painters, writers and people who just need too add a splash of color to their day are found wandering every nook and cranny of this street side gallery.
So how can people say that graffiti is just a form of vandalism that related to hip-hop and the 1970s...
Graffiti, like all other forms of art is beautiful. It has hidden messages, many different layers and takes a skilled artist to truly pull it off.
That being said, spray painting "FUCK YOU NIGGAH" all over back alleys and walls is completely inappropriate. The same goes to the fucktard going up to someones private property or advertisement bilboards and "
decorating" it. It saddens me too think that graffiti is given a negative connotation due to some idiots trying to promote their gang symbols and oppressive beliefs through forms of art.
Art is meant to be beautiful, not full of hatred.
The skirt is vintage from flashback, a little store in Kenzinton Market. Sequin tank from Bebe, and pleather jacket from Urban Outfitters. The headband is self made.
