Graffiti art is a type of street art that has been around since the early 1970s. It is usually created with spray paint or markers on walls or other surfaces in public places. Although once considered pure vandalism, graffiti art has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now considered a form of legitimate art.
One reason for its growing popularity may be that graffiti artists often use their work to express themselves and communicate their ideas about the world around them. In many cases, they may “tag” or “spray” their name or nickname on walls or other surfaces in highly visible places, allowing them to build a reputation as an artist.
When you think of graffiti art, you might imagine brightly colored spray-painted murals or tags on buildings. But what you might not know is that graffiti has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. A quick trip down memory lane to explore the origins of this unique art form.
The word “graffiti” comes from the Italian word “graffio,” which means “to scratch.” That’s fitting, because one of the earliest examples of graffiti dates back to the 4th century BC, when Greek soldiers carved their names into the walls of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
In the late 1970s, graffiti began to appear on the streets of New York City. This new form of street art was influenced by the hip-hop culture of the time and quickly gained popularity among the city's youth. As graffiti spread to other cities in the United States, it became clear that this was more than a passing trend; it was a legitimate art form with its own unique style and identity.
Graffiti can be traced back to the early days of hip-hop culture in New York City. Hip-hop emerged in the 1970s as a way for young people to express themselves and connect with their community. Music, dance, and fashion were all important elements of hip-hop culture, but one of its most defining features was graffiti.
For many young people living in New York City at the time, graffiti provided a creative outlet that allowed them to express themselves in a unique and distinctive way. Unlike traditional art forms, graffiti could be created without formal training or expensive supplies. All you need is a can of spray paint and a few surfaces to write on, and you’re good to go.
As graffiti began to spread beyond the boundaries of New York City, it began to gain recognition as a legitimate art form. In 1979, The New York Times published an article about graffiti artist John “Crash” Matos, which raised public awareness of this new form of expression. Later that year, PBS aired the documentary “Style Wars,” which further increased the visibility and legitimacy of graffiti.
By the early 1980s, graffiti had become an international phenomenon, with artists popping up in cities around the world. The 1980s also saw the rise of “graffiti artists” like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who brought graffiti out of the urban environment and into the mainstream art world.
What began as a local phenomenon in New York City quickly became an international movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Graffiti provided a creative outlet for young people living in urban areas at a time when they felt disconnected from traditional institutions like government and religion. While some considered it vandalism, others recognized it as a legitimate art form with its own unique style and identity. Today, graffiti can be found all over the world, from city neighborhoods to museum halls. It’s safe to say that this once controversial form of expression is here to stay.
Over the past few decades, graffiti art has grown from a subcultural phenomenon to a mainstream form of expression. Today, you can find examples of graffiti art in major cities around the world, from London to Los Angeles. So, what is it about graffiti art that has made it so popular?
There are a few factors that have contributed to the rise of graffiti art. First and foremost, the advent of social media has given rise to a new generation of street artists who use platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to reach a larger audience than ever before. This global reach has helped legitimize graffiti art and make it a viable career option for many young people.
Additionally, the economic downturn of the late 2000s led to an increase in vandalism and crime in many cities around the world. As a result, city officials and business owners began to view graffiti art as a way to beautify their neighborhoods and deter would-be vandals. This shift in perception has helped to increase the popularity of graffiti art and give it a more positive connotation.
Finally, the increasing popularity of public art installations has helped graffiti art become more mainstream. In the past, graffiti was often seen as an eyesore or a sign of urban decay. But today, many people see it as a form of self-expression that can add color and life to an otherwise drab environment. This change in attitude has paved the way for graffiti art to become more mainstream and acceptable.
Graffiti art is more popular than ever before, thanks to factors such as social media, changing perceptions and public art installations. What was once seen as an act of vandalism is now valued as a legitimate form of self-expression.
Graffiti can be found all over the world, but if you are not yet familiar with this world and would like to see and discover more, then take a walk on one of the street art routes that the Netherlands has to offer. Think of Heerlen, Amsterdam and for example The Hague and Rotterdam. All cities where there is a lot of investment in graffiti art.
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