Do you know what graffiti is? History of graffiti.

Wall painting in ancient times

It is well known that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans painted drawings on walls and buildings, usually also containing some messages or ideas in their drawings. It could be political ideas, declarations of love or wise aphorisms. With the help of graffiti, the ancient Romans advertised their services, conveyed news, and made caricatures of politicians. Texts are often created with spelling errors, which indicates low literacy of the people who wrote the inscriptions. Among other things, on the walls of their homes, the ancient Romans simply wrote who lives here, or what their mood is today. In a way, graffiti becomes a means mass media And social network.

Modern history of graffiti

Start modern history graffiti dates mainly to the late 1960s. City NY begins to be covered with inscriptions from writers Fuzz One, Lord, Topcat 126, STAFF 161, AJ161, BILLY167, Cornbread. This is not at all artistic drawings and just write your name “Tag” as best you can more places made for the purpose of, in some way, becoming famous. In 1971, an article in the New York Times “Taki 183” Spawns Pen Pals was dedicated to the writer of TAKI 183, with an interview in which the 17-year-old writer said that he works, pays taxes, and does not harm anyone with his inscriptions. Taki worked as a courier, and wherever he went by metro, he left his inscriptions both in the cars and near the stations.

Graffiti ( Graffiti from Italian graffito - inscriptions) is street painting. Disputes regarding whether graffiti should be considered a separate art direction or an act of vandalism have not subsided to this day. Graffiti usually refers to any images placed on the surface of walls, buildings, and other public objects. What is it, how did this direction appear, how is it developing, what is considered to be graffiti in contemporary art?

History of graffiti: from the ancient world to modern times

Nowadays, graffiti is a common name for any type of street art and wall painting; regardless of the degree of professionalism in applying images. In history, this term has been used for quite a long time. Moreover, previously there was a division into two concepts, such as “dipinti” and “graffiti”. The term comes from the verb “graffiare”, which means “to scratch” in Italian. The verb “dipinti” meant inscriptions made with paint.

Interesting fact: before technology scratching and applying paint were often combined. Examples of this technique were observed in potters who scratched inscriptions into the top layer of paint, thus exposing the inner layer. Of course, it is now difficult to call such a technique graffiti in the classical sense of the word, but at that time these were one of the first examples of the use of the technique. Especially often, masters signed their works in this way.

It is customary to begin the history of graffiti from the moment when wall inscriptions were discovered. The first examples were found in the countries of the Ancient East, in Rome, as well as in Greece. Later, any graphics that were applied to the surface of the walls were designated as graffiti, and in many countries it was regarded as an act of vandalism. Incredibly, the first drawings appeared already in the thirtieth millennium BC. Exactly rock paintings became the prototype of this direction in art. Then, natural pigments and sharp objects were used as tools: such as animal bones, stones and fragments of hardened rocks.

The founders of graffiti are the ancients cave drawings

The first prototype of graffiti, such as we are used to seeing it now, is located in the city of Ephesus, which is located in Turkey. Previously it belonged to Ancient Greece and even preserved the marks of this culture. The first text was an advertisement for the services of prostitutes. The drawing depicted a handprint vaguely reminiscent of a heart, a number and a footprint. This entire figure is interpreted as the amount of payment for certain services.

The ancient Romans also had a sense of humor, and often made cartoon graffiti with images of those in power. Then this direction was used as a tool for declarations of love, and for conveying one’s thoughts and for political rhetoric. Pompeii displayed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, various curses, magic spells, the alphabet, political slogans and much more. As it becomes clear from this list, the direction was very multifaceted. Thanks to these same inscriptions, it was possible to reveal many mysteries and incomprehensible aspects colloquial speech. Considering the low level of education among most of the people, many inscriptions turned out to be a serious help in understanding oral speech.

It is also noteworthy that graffiti appeared almost simultaneously in different parts of the world. Even in Egypt, on the territory of the historical complex of Giza, researchers found many inscriptions and drawings that were also attributed to this style. It is believed that they were left by builders and religious figures time.

Graffiti was used even where there was no connection with civilization. The ancient Mayan tribes, in one of their largest settlements - Tikal, left many well-preserved drawings. Long and rich story the appearance of graffiti also exists Eastern Slavs. In Novgorod, 10 examples of works dating back to the eleventh century have been preserved. Most of the messages of these people carry a prayer message, although sometimes you can find some humorous messages. It is worth noting that folk spells were often cast, because people then were very superstitious.

Already during the Renaissance, such famous artists as Michelangelo and Raphael went to the golden house of Nero where they carved proper names, after which they proceeded to active work. Later, French soldiers left inscriptions during the Egyptian campaign led by Napoleon. Lord Byron also left his mark on the Greek Temple of Poseidon. And during the Second World War, Soviet soldiers made a huge number of inscriptions on the walls of the Reichstag.

The Birth of Modern Graffiti

Examples of modern graffiti are considered to be the basis on which it was created modern direction. Many cultural experts believe that the modern look is directly related to hip-hop and breakdancing. However, this is a misconception, because the first wave of drawings appeared in the 1920s in the New York subway, which serves as a significant refutation of this theory. Drawings can often be found on the surface of carriages, as well as in pedestrian crossings.

Then, during World War II, the expression “Kilroy was here” began to spread. This inscription appeared long after the end of the war. Over time, it began to be supplemented with images. This phrase was used by American soldiers during the war, which is why the phrase became entrenched in American culture.

Then there was a wave of signs appearing all over New York City that read “Bird Lives.” In Paris, during the strikes of 1968, the phrase “L’ennui est contre-révolutionnaire”, which translated means “Boredom is counter-revolutionary,” became popular. As can be seen from these examples, graffiti has been firmly woven into human culture throughout human existence.

Graffiti Culture Dissemination Center

There is no formal and unified center for the dissemination of graffiti culture, as such. Some believe that the center of this trend is the city of Sao Paulo, which is an inspiration for graffiti artists from all over the world. This city is often compared to New York in the 1970s and has a similar atmosphere. The period from 1969 to 1974 is considered revolutionary in history. It was then that a huge number of trends were born, and the center of development of this art form moved from Philadelphia to New York. Since then, New York has been considered the center of graffiti development.

World experience in confrontation between graffiti and the state

All over the world there is an ambivalent attitude towards street art. In many countries, graffiti is still considered vandalism, and people who apply graffiti are fined or sentenced to administrative punishment. In some countries and states, people are even imprisoned for such activities.

In the 1980s, an anti-graffiti organization was formed in Philadelphia - the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN). Authorities quickly began to realize that graffiti and murals were only active in poor areas of cities. In such cases, graffiti is a kind of reflection of people’s standard of living. Then the US authorities began to fight the destruction in cities in order to eliminate the possibility of drawings on the walls.

In 2006, a city councilman named Peter Vallone proposed a bill that would ban anyone under 21 from possessing wall markers or spray paint. Then fashion designer Marc Eco filed a lawsuit for violating the rights of artists and a hearing took place that same year. Marc Eco's demands were satisfied, and the legislative amendments were removed. There is a known case when in Chicago in 1992, aerosol paints and other means of applying drawings to walls were banned for sale. And that same year, a law was passed that imposed a fine of $500 on those who put graffiti on the wall.

Moreover, the amount of the fine exceeded the amount that was imposed for being under the influence of alcohol in in public places, as well as for violating religious services. In 2005, a system was created that allowed drawings to be entered into a single database, which made it easier to find the artist, because it was easier to discover their author based on the general outline. One of the first to be imprisoned was Joseph Montana, who was called the king of graffiti. He painted more than 200 buildings, for which he was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

The fight against street artists also took place in Europe. A law was passed banning the sale of spray paint to persons under 16 years of age. And, despite the fact that the toughest fight against graffiti was observed in the UK, it was here that the famous artist nicknamed “Banksy”, who was nicknamed the art terrorist, appeared. The most interesting thing is that after for long years struggle, his works were included in the cultural heritage of Great Britain. The artist has gained worldwide fame, he exhibits in all countries, the cost of his works reaches millions of dollars. But even despite this, his identity has not yet been revealed.

A fierce struggle against street painting is also taking place in the East. In Iran and Israel, this art direction is persecuted by law. And in Singapore, an American school student was sentenced to 4 years in prison. At the same time, in Hong Kong a writer (graffiti writer - graffiti artist) named Tsang Tsu Choi, who received the nickname “King of Kowloon”, is highly respected, and some of his works are under official protection.

The other side: the emergence of graffiti as a new art direction

One of the first famous artists It is generally accepted that Jean Michel Basquiat began his career with wall drawings. He left short phrases with deep meaning throughout New York, for which he gained fame. The project ended with the phrase “SAMO IS DEAD”, after which the artist’s life began new stage. They, together with Andy Warhol, used stenciling techniques to apply images to walls.

Among his contemporaries, the street writer nicknamed “Banksy”, whose identity is still shrouded in mystery, gained particular fame. He picks up current issues and makes fun of the absurdity of situations in modern politics. Many of his works have been recognized as world masterpieces.

Materials and creation techniques

Modern writers use a number of tools:

• spray paint(and many application techniques)
• markers
• rollers
• brushes
• stickers
• cardboard stencils, etc.

Magnetic LEDs and projections of drawings were used as an experiment. Artists are engaged not only in restoration, but also in the transformation of old works, using new technology application. “Yarnbombing” involves the use of knitwear that is attached to a pattern. Something intermediate between classic graffiti and installation is formed.

Types and styles of classic graffiti

Certain application techniques have received their own names. “Tag” is a basic technique that involves the writer’s signature and his name. This is also where the “graffiti tagging” technique comes from, which is one of the most popular on this moment. The inscription can have initials or messages, letters, calligraphy. “Pissing” is a type of tagging that involves filling an empty fire extinguisher with paint and then applying a design with it. The difficulty with this technique is that it is too massive, which often makes it look sloppy.

“Trow-up”, also known as “bombing”, is drawn quickly, with one or several colors. The main thing here is to quickly apply the drawing, sometimes sacrificing its quality. “Masterpiece” is a complex rendition of the writer’s name. “Roller” or “blockbuster” are massive works performed in a printed manner. When creating them, rollers and rollers are used; with the help of this technique, the paint is applied to the entire surface of the wall or object. “Wildstyle” is one of the most complex types graffiti. It is characterized by intricate letterforms intertwined together with serifs. Separately, mention should be made of the phenomenon of “capping,” which involves covering one image with another. This method is used to damage other people's work and is not welcomed among graffiti writers.

Blockbuster

Masterpiece

Graffiti is a separate world where people communicate in their own language. They carry messages, reflect reality, make you think or smile. To love this direction or be against it is everyone’s individual choice.

The word "graffiti" is translated from Italian as "scratched." After all, the very first examples of this skill were performed in a simple, uncomplicated verbal form. Although among them there were also magical formulas and soulful initiations. For many centuries in a row, nameless authors poured out their souls on the walls, wrote sincere declarations of love to their lady love, or expressed negative criticism about the activities of undesirable rulers.

The history of graffiti dates back to Ancient world. The earliest examples of this art date back to the 30th millennium BC. e. These were cave paintings and pictographs that were painted on the walls with animal bones and pigments.

Sometimes graffiti served as a source of inspiration. The Greek word "rock" (translated as fate), painted on the wall of the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris, prompted Victor Hugo to write famous novel. Graffiti existed only in verbal form until the 70s of the last century. But then artists came and began to use different lines, colors decorating the streets of New York. It was part of hip-hop culture. Scale, individuality, creativity for the sake of the soul, not money - these are the principles of work of the first American writers. The founders of the genre were helped to draw with markers and aerosols; some instruments were made by hand. They used anything: from special compounds for painting shoes to stamp paint. The “filling” was placed in an already used deodorant can.

Among the graffiti artists there were also pure artists who drew inspiration from almost everything: from divine plots to television plays and comics. But the overwhelming majority of street artists are writers or type designers. The source of such creativity was “tags,” that is, stylized autographs or author’s logos. Compared to current works, these were simple inscriptions in form and execution. But now any aspiring writer learns the basics of craft as a “tagger.”

New York teenagers chose the ideal subjects for art - subway trains. Young creators made their way into the settling tanks and in the morning the trains left for the routes in an updated form. Since then, graffiti has gained speed, mobility and has gone beyond the walls of schools and toilets.
In the mid-70s, the main principles of street art were established. In New York, the graffiti movement was competitive in nature, which led to the emergence of new creative ideas.

From their very appearance until today, the authors of wall drawings and inscriptions have been persecuted by law enforcement officials. After all, according to the law, painting of municipal property poses a threat to society. Many American writers have paid hefty fines, and some of them even went to jail. Due to the fact that the works of graffiti artists were destroyed, the majority gave up this activity, unable to tolerate such mockery of their work. And in the mid-80s, the authorities forced the artists out of their underground estates.

Street creativity has acquired many directions and trends. Also, everyone has their own individual style. New styles of graffiti emerged between 1969 and 1974. They are all so different that any artist could find the most suitable option for self-expression.

In most megacities, the authorities met halfway creative individuals and designated “legal walls and courtyards” for graffiti. But there were so few of them that they still had to go beyond what was permitted.

The prestige of American street art was undermined by two things:
hip-hop itself, which was perceived as “gangster culture” and the fact that many “tough guys” marked their territory in this way.

Graffiti, which came from overseas to the UK, has become part of pop culture. Then it spread throughout Europe, Italy, France, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, and Sweden.

The history of Soviet graffiti began in 1985. At the same time, breakdancing became fashionable. The first writers designed the scenery of youth festivals. The most bright drawings decorated the streets of Kaliningrad and Leningrad. And only a decade later fashion art Moscow joined.

In the 2000s, graffiti became commercialized: it was used in advertising campaigns, video games, clothing, and on skateboards.

Graffiti has become a full-fledged art form, along with its own styles, directions and trends. The writers' imagination is so limitless that in the future this creativity will certainly experience rapid, multifaceted development.

Today, graffiti is considered a form of street art and one of the most popular forms artistic expression around the world.

Exist various styles and types of graffiti. Graffiti has already established itself as an independent genre contemporary art and as part of culture and urban lifestyle. In many countries and cities, writers create real masterpieces on city streets.

Graffiti is often used to convey political and social nature. However, you should be aware that in most countries of the world, applying graffiti to someone's property without the permission of the owner of that property is considered vandalism and is punishable by law.
The history of graffiti goes back a long way. But first things first.

Origin of the term

(from Italian graffito, in plural graffiti) - images, drawings or inscriptions scratched or drawn with paint (ink) on walls and other surfaces. Graffiare (Italian) – “to scratch.”
And currently the most popular spray art, drawing graffiti using spray paint. In ancient times, graffiti was applied to walls using a sharp object, chalk or coal.

History of graffiti

Everyone knows that wall inscriptions existed in the countries of the Ancient East, in Greece, in Rome.
The earliest graffiti dates back to the 30th millennium BC. These are prehistoric cave paintings and pictographs painted on walls. Drawings were made in ritual and sacred places inside the caves. Most often they depicted animals or hunting scenes. The Safan language, which existed from the 1st century. BC. to the 4th century n. e., only survived in the form of graffiti - inscriptions scratched on rocks in southern Syria, eastern Jordan and northern Saudi Arabia.

Graffiti in ancient Pompeii: caricature of an official
Ancient graffiti has also been preserved in the ancient Greek city of Ephesus (the territory of modern Turkey). There is Viking graffiti.

What did ancient people write about? About the same things they write about now: about love, about politics and about other pressing matters. They wrote the same way: with grammatical and spelling errors. There are inscriptions like “Vasya was here.” There's nothing new under the sun!
What was the situation with graffiti in Rus'? Wonderful! In Novgorod there are 10 graffiti of the 11th century, and in Kyiv ( Ancient Rus') – about 300 graffiti from the 11th to 15th centuries. are located in the Cathedral of St. Sofia. They talk about the political events of that time.
IN modern form graffiti appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. - in the New York subway, and then on freight cars and in underground passages. Since then, graffiti has become part of pop culture and has become associated with hip-hop, hardcore, beatdown and breakdancing music. For many, graffiti is a way of life, hidden from the public and incomprehensible to others. Political activists used graffiti to spread their ideas.
By the 1970s, the popularity of graffiti had grown greatly, and new styles began to be distinguished. The first writer to gain fame was TAKI 183, a teenager from the Washington Heights neighborhood in Manhattan. His tag TAKI 183 consisted of his name Demetrius (or Demetraki, Taki) and the number of the street where he lived - 183. Taki worked as a courier, and wherever he went by subway, he left his tags everywhere. He gained a lot of followers.
Gradually, the style of tagging began to become more complex, new styles of graffiti began to appear, and the movement itself acquired a competitive nature.

More complex tag
In this regard, city authorities began to fight graffiti artists. After all, not all the work was skillful enough, and graffiti began to be identified with the littering of city streets - scribbles on the walls were equated with garbage, landfills and desolation. Huge amounts of money were spent on combating graffiti. But at the same time, sometimes writers created such complex and beautiful graffiti that store owners did not dare to paint over them. In some countries, writers were allocated special places on the streets, in underground passages, etc., where they could calmly express themselves.

“Legal graffiti” in Stroud (England)
The question of whether graffiti is an art form began to be seriously discussed. Meanwhile, graffiti began to conquer more and more space: it began to be used in computer advertising, in video games, in the design of skateboards, clothing and shoes.
Graffiti has become widespread throughout the world. Today, Sao Paulo (Brazil) is considered the capital of graffiti and a place of inspiration for writers from all over the world.

Graffiti in Olinda (Brazil)

What about in Russia?

The massive modern graffiti movement in Russia dates back to the 1980s. In 2006, St. Petersburg hosted international festival graffiti. And in large cities of Russia, annual graffiti festivals are held. Let's talk about one of them.

Snickers Urbania (SNICKERS URBANIA)– annual youth festival street culture. The festival was first held in 2001 and includes the main areas of street culture: extreme sports, graffiti, breakdancing, beatboxing, freestyle. His goal: to give a chance modern youth express yourself and your talent, as well as provide the opportunity to try your hand at professional equipment for extreme sports. The festival was held in largest cities Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd, Samara, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, as well as in Kazakhstan - Almaty.

BombART site
In the early 1980s. stencil graffiti was also born. It is created by cutting shapes from a hard, dense material. The finished stencil is applied to the canvas and aerosol paint is sprayed over it with quick, light and precise movements. This technique has become popular due to its fast execution.
The most important tool in graffiti is spray paint in cans. Use paint rollers and stencils, brushes, markers, wax rods, crayons, etc.

Graffiti in the modern world

Most graffiti is done on the streets (building walls, underground passages, garages, payphone booths, parked cars, asphalt pavement in courtyards, etc.); on transport; in entrances and staircases (including apartment doors, mailboxes, etc.); in the interiors of institutions.
Very slowly, but graffiti is beginning to acquire the status of a socially neutral phenomenon and is perceived as an integral element of a modern metropolis, a mass cultural phenomenon. It loses the meaning of protest. The language of graffiti is becoming a universal code of urban communication.

Types and styles of graffiti

Tagging is a quick application of the author's signature on a surface. A separate signature is called a “tag” (from the English tag - mark). Teggers are not very interested in the meaning and aesthetics of their creations; the main thing is to leave as many “autographs” as possible. Often tags are incomprehensible to people not privy to the details.
Writers value tags placed in hard-to-reach but visible places. The command tag is called "single".
Lettering is usually applied using spray paint or thick markers. Experienced writers can write a tag in 2-3 seconds.

Wild(English: Wildstyle - wild style). The main feature this style is a tangled plexus of letters, sharp corners, fragments and arrows. The name of the style was given by the character of the drawing: wild, incomprehensible, since often the letters are so intertwined and many extraneous elements are introduced that readability becomes zero. From the wild there is a 3D Wildstyle (volume is added to the regular wild).