Gang Graffiti, Its History and Controversies - Research Paper Example

Graffiti Introduction Graffiti is a form of at which involves scribbling, spraying or scratching of drawings and writings on surfaces or walls in public areas. Usually graffiti is usually perceived as illegal since it is normally done without the consent of the authority of the public surface or wall which it has been done on. However, from an artistic point of view, graffiti is viewed as a way of expression with which street artists usually express themselves in. Graffiti is often viewed as a form of vandalism, and in the real sense it reveals approaches and techniques taken from fine art (Leko 7) There are various reasons why graffiti is spread around the world. T is from these motivations that graffiti is categorized into four. These are ideological, conventional, tagging and gangs. Ideological graffiti is where artist make discriminative, offensive and political symbols or slogans in public areas. This type of graffiti is normally motivated by politics, anger, defiance, hostility and hate. Conventional graffiti is where people put down simple messages on surfaces and paintings in public places. This type of graffiti is usually random and is normally done very quickly. It lacks an artistic touch since it is not mercenarily done by artist hence it has no theme or agenda in them. Conventional graffiti is often associated with adolescence who usually do it during their leisure time. A good example is where one writes a message such as “Daniel was here” on a public wall or surface. Gang graffiti is a category is the type of graffiti where different gangs mostly in cities spray or inscribe their name or symbol on a public surface or wall to illustrate that that area is their territory. Gang graffiti is usually a mode of communication to other gangs to avoid doing business both illegal and legal on another gang’s tuff. Finally, tag graffiti is a simple type of graffiti where people put their signatures in form of small words in one color as a form of tag. This type of graffiti originated in New York during the 16th century. History of Graffiti Scholars and artist believe that graffiti began millions of years ago inform of wall paintings and inscriptions (Pereira p14). For example, ancient Romans drew on walls especially from buildings which they had conquered. Cave drawings by natives are often regarded as the earliest form of graffiti irrespective of the fact that it did not have an artistic touch. However, the first form of modern graffiti is believed to have begun in ancient Greece specifically the city of Ephesus which is known as Turkey today. This graffiti is somewhat different from the graffiti practiced today in terms of content in that it was used to communicate messages. For example, in the ruins of the city of Ephesus there is a graffiti composed of a foot, a number and a heart which communicate that there was a brothel nearby. This graffiti is found on a stone and mosaic walk away in the city. There are also drawings of bald men on walls in the city which was used to refer to politicians at the time. Scholars have attributed the spread of graffiti from the United States of America specifically the hip hop culture. Graffiti intertwined with the hip hop culture in the United States of America where hip hop slogans were used to communicate to the public through graffiti in the New York subways, bridges among others. For example, one of the notable graffiti done back in the early 20th century is the myriad graffiti which were in the New York subway. Since then, graffiti has spread all over the continent especially in Europe where artist have used this form of unauthorized art to convey different messages and emotions. The ideological graffiti is the most common type of this art which has been used to communicate and illustrates messages that related to the issues I questions. It has been used to convey messages about politics, race, and gender throughout Europe depending on the social or political issue that was going on in Europe during at the time. During the Second World War, graffiti was done displaying the views of the artist depending on which side of the war they supported. Political campaigns throughout history have also contributed to the spread of graffiti as a form of art since people sprayed and inscribed political symbols of the candidate who they support. Some people have used graffiti to convey their feelings about the political scene where anonymity is of at most importance. For example, if one needs to point out a mistake in the government and their statements might land them in trouble with the authority, people often use graffiti since it is anonymous hence they cannot land into problems with the government. Controversies and Issues Surrounding Graffiti For one to understand the controversies and issues that surround graffiti, it is important to approach graffiti in a specific city instead of approaching it in general. In this case, Prague, Czech Republic is a good city to analyze issues and controversies surrounding graffiti since it is one of the cities with a lot of graffiti in the world. The Czech Republic has suffered from a long civil war which saw governments rise in form of dictatorships. These dictators held their hands grip on mass media to ensure that “propaganda” was not spread in the country. This was rampant in the 1950s after the end of the Second World War which saw the introduction of communism in Czech Republic. This resulted in the spread of graffiti in Czech Republic especially in Prague since people conveyed their messages in anonymity which was possible through graffiti. At this time, ideological graffiti was the most common type of graffiti in Prague. This culture went on even after the end of communism making Prague the center of graffiti in the world. However, the end of communism saw the shift of graffiti from ideological to all four forms of graffiti being done in the capital city of Czech Republic. People are now doing graffiti as a form of art and not necessarily as apolitical way of communicating their thoughts and ideas. One controversial issue that has faced graffiti around the world is that it has been associated with gangs. Gangs normally use graffiti to inscribe or paint their name and symbols to mark territories especially in big cities such as Prague. Gangs such as the Russian mob are used to mark territories, which the exercise control over to warn members of other gangs not to do any business in these areas without permission from the gang members through their leaders. The issue comes about where people might inscribe or spray paint drawing on walls and surfaces in public areas that might be linked to gangs without their knowing. For instance, one might be caught by authorities painting symbols of gangs making them to be charged with being a member of an unlawful gang. Such people are often innocent of this since they did not know that such symbols belonged to a specific gang. Another issue surrounding graffiti is that it is viewed as an act of vandalism by law enforcement and local authorities. One will notice that most beautiful buildings and structures in Prague are covered with graffiti hence hiding the beauty of the city. Many of Prague’s historical buildings have been covered with spray paints and inscriptions as a result of the rampant graffiti in the city. Despite the fact that graffiti is a form of art, it is important for people to understand that the historical aspect of the city is very important since it is through it that tourists visit the city. However, artists argue that the spectacular graffiti present in the country attracts many art tourists neutralizing the negative effect this form of art has on the city with regard to tourism. Under vandalism, graffiti is viewed as a crime which is chargeable and punishable by courts of law. It is also relieved as delinquency by authorities who view it as a form of mockery and insult. Social crimes such as racism, tribalism, and hate crimes have been spread significantly by graffiti. Graffiti has been often used to communicate hate messages towards different races, religions as a result of it anonymity nature (Pereira 58). World war Two created a religious issue in Czech especially in relation to anti Semitism. When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, it persecuted a lot of Jews killing, humiliating and sending them to detention camps. This history has created a sensitive issue not only in Prague but also across central Europe. Hate messages and spray paintings in the form of graffiti in Prague has been seen. This is very dangerous since it creates tension among Jews who are citizens in the country. Another example of how graffiti has spreads hate messages against homosexuality and lesbianism which may lead to attacks on such people. Graffiti has also been condemned in Prague because it has been often used to spread rumors in the country which the government fears might be threats to national security. People have often accused politicians and the government of assassinations through graffiti in Prague. This is dangerous since this can result in political tension over issues that cannot be proved. Bansky Bansky is a United Kingdom Based graffiti artist who is renowned worldwide. He uses a style in which he combines a unique technique of stencil and dark humor. His works mainly comprise of social and political commentary featured on bridges, walls, and streets of cities in the world. He is one of the outspoken artists who are against the labeling of gravity as vandalism by various governments. His work started during in the 1980s during the boom of Bristol aerosol (Pereira 58). Prague being at the center of the worlds graffiti, it contains some of the best works of Bansky. A good example is the graffiti illustrating a house cleaner hiding dirt which she has swept under a white certain. The woman is r a house cleaner since Bansky illustrates her as her wearing a black dress and a white apron and hat. Various themes have been used to explain what Banksy was trying to illustrate in the graffiti. In my view, he tries to illustrate how the government hides its evils and short comings it has. Definitely Bansky has not publicly admitted to doing the graffiti since it would to legal consequences from the Czech government since graffiti is viewed as vandalism. Bansky is one of the artists in the world that have changed the view of graffiti as a form of vandalism change making it a form of art. Conclusion As much as graffiti is a form of art which is both colorful and attractive, it is important to consider the consequences it results in. When one uses Prague as an example, graffiti has greatly impacted on the historical view of the city. Most buildings in the city were built a long time ago and provide the historical aspect of the city. Graffiti steals this historical architecture of the city since most walls of buildings in the city are covered by street art. Street artists should ensure that they draw or scribble their street art on secluded parts of the city to ensure that the historical beauty of the city remains intact. Artists should also be careful in the messages they convey through their street art because it may sometimes result in dire consequences. They should refrain from putting up art which might be racist or convey hate messages. In short, they should perform their street art ethically and responsibility. Graffiti incurs the local government in Prague city a lot of money in its measures to maintain the historical beauty of the city. This cost is incurred when the government paints over graffiti drawn indifferent parts of the almost every day. This cost runs high since as soon as the paint in which the government paints over the graffiti, street artists often put up other graffiti is put up. Works Cited Leko Istvan. Street art Praha. London: Arbor vitae, 2007. Print. Pereira Sandrine. Graffiti. California: Silverback Books, 2005. Print. Read More