(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Art of Graffiti

            Perhaps, a reason why Philadelphia stands out among other large metropolitan American cities is may be due to its bright color-filled and vibrant neighborhoods. It is a common understanding that the seeds of graffiti were originally rooted in Philadelphia since the city houses more murals than any other American city. Initially during its germinating stages, street graffiti was a major concern for the city since street gangs used as their weapon to mark their territory, and certain political factions sought it as a medium to broadcast propaganda to the public with minimum cost involvement. The presence of these intimidating graffiti only helped to convey to the public the presence of anarchy in the area. Graffiti at times contains writings or signs that may not signify any particular meaning to every individual and thus, was seen as an act of vandalism that degraded the value of a particular place.
             The word "graffiti" connotes to art which is defined as expression or application of creative skill and imagination which is considered to be vandalism to many. However, it involves many ingenious minds that work together to express their perspective by painting on concrete walls and add color to blank spaces in the city. The art is a communication tool to graffiti artists to speak their perspectives on many prevalent issues that concerns ordinary individuals. The City of Philadelphia decided to take initiative to address this issue through a positive manner by introducing the Mural Arts Program which aimed to eradicate graffiti vandalism yet diverted their artistic abilities to create murals which spoke its own artistic beauty to its audience. Mural art is considered to be a public affair that intended to address prevailing issues such as ethnic history, cultural pride, usage of drugs, religious issues, and women's right. The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program gifted the impoverishing neighborhoods with projects that played a fundamental role in uniting to rebuild the area through art.


Essays Related to The Art of Graffiti

1. Banksy and the Influence of Graffiti

Is Graffiti Art? ... To many, graffiti is not viewed as being art because of its vandalistic qualities, unconventional presentation, and insignificant meaning, but does graffiti's presentation and often-illegal location necessarily disqualify it as art? ... But what's is the difference between street art and graffiti? ... And will graffiti always be viewed as negatively, or is there hope for the future of this art form? ... Graffiti is a form of artistic expression on the streets, so therefore graffiti is essentially 'street art'. ...

  • Word Count: 2081
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Graffiti - The Art or Vandalism Perspective

In order to understand whether graffiti is an art or vandalism, it is necessary to understand the meaning of art, graffiti, and vandalism in art. ... Debate has arisen on whether graffiti is an art or vandalism. ... In 2014, Torres published an article investigating whether graffiti is an art or vandalism. ... This argument cannot disqualify graffiti from the realm of art (p.2). ... According to the above argument and the definition of art, graffiti is an art. ...

  • Word Count: 1015
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. The History and Controversy of Graffiti Art

Intro-Hook Whether it's a quick tag or well-crafted piece of art, graffiti is easily one of the most notorious types of self-expression. ... It is said that modern graffiti art originated in New York City. ... In the early stages of graffiti art, certain gangs were using it as way to tag what they claimed as their territory. ... Despite the legal issues with the art, graffiti has spread throughout the globe and continues to gain value in society today. There are everyday arguments about whether or not graffiti should be showcased just like other art in museums. ...

  • Word Count: 1094
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Graffiti: Art or Crime

IS IT A CRIME, OR AN ART? ... I found myself suddenly struck by this way of art. ... At that point, I new I was truly in love with this art form. ... The problem is, society looks down on graffiti as an act of vandalism rather then an art form. ... Tagging is more of a rebellious act then art. ...

  • Word Count: 1382
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Graffiti - The Art of Awareness

Graffiti is now becoming an increasingly popular and important style of art. In many countries all over the world, graffiti or street art can be found on public walls or buildings. ... Graffiti artists tend to portray vivid emotions through their art in hopes of having an impact on people who see the art. ... The style as well as the messages being conveyed, strayed from the "norm" that graffiti had become over the decades. ... They, like Banksy, use graffiti as an art to bring awareness....

  • Word Count: 895
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Graffiti

Graffiti! Ugly and offensive Yes! Art No! Graffiti offenders are out to cause trouble. People deserve the satisfaction of knowing their well cared property won't be vandalised by adolescent rebels. Graffiti offenders are usually adolescent teenagers who attack people's property and inner feeli...

  • Word Count: 319
  • Approx Pages: 1

7. Vandalism in the Name of Art

There are three types of graffiti - political graffiti, gang graffiti and graffiti art (Phillips). ... Graffiti is an art form because it has artistic characteristics. The two types of graffiti being referred to as having artistic qualities are political graffiti and graffiti art. ... Graffiti is a form of art because it is also expressive by telling something about the community like the murals and art exhibitions of political graffiti. ... However, just because graffiti is a form of art, does not mean that graffiti is not vandalism. ...

  • Word Count: 1371
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Graffiti in 1970's New York City

With the help of New York's subway system, new art materials, media attention, law enforcement, and vibrant social scene, graffiti erupted in the 1970's and '80's. ... Graffiti writers, TOPCAT-126 and JULIO-204, are often credited for carrying the art from Philadelphia to Washington Heights, a neighborhood in Northern Manhattan. ... The practice was heavily promoted by the brand-new hip-hop culture and New York's downtown art scene at the time; most of the writers part of the poor minority youth community, usually under 18 years old. ... The program eventually decreased graffiti, and impro...

  • Word Count: 842
  • Approx Pages: 3

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question