Introduction
Is that spray painted portrait of Paris Hilton art or graffiti? Or how about someone’s name painted elaborately on the side of an others’ business? That’s what I went to investigate in Williamsburg, New York, people’s opinion on public display of art. But first I needed to determine if there is a difference between street art, and graffiti and what is the difference? Street art defined by two contributors at urbandictionary.com, the first states that “Street art is a cousin of graffiti. Using materials like stencils to make a piece.” And the other defines “Street art is any art developed in public spaces - that is, "in the streets" — though the term usually refers to art of an illicit nature (as opposed to, for instance, government or community art initiatives).” Next I had to compare the definition to graffiti. The first definition of on the website explains it as, “A form of art and expression. The world is each ones canvas.” Or for a rather more direct definition, “Graffiti is the practice of systematically and stylistically marking infrastructure.” But is there ever crossing the line into public destruction, vandalism? Vandalism as defined by merriam-webster.com is, “willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.”
I chose this topic to study because art has significance in everyday activities. Whether it being minimal impact street art or to a grander scale of political statement art. How people perceive the pieces impact how a community interacts and thrives to survive as a whole.
I chose this topic to study because art has significance in everyday activities. Whether it being minimal impact street art or to a grander scale of political statement art. How people perceive the pieces impact how a community interacts and thrives to survive as a whole.
"Why is non-commercial public expression considered criminal?"
— Shepard Fairey
— Shepard Fairey
History
Graffiti took afoot in New York City in the late 1960’s by a teenage boy. He would tag his name, Taki 183, where ever he went on his foot-messenger route in the Manhattan borough. There has been said to be another influential tagger at the time that went by Julio 204. The number behind their name represents their house number. Julio 204 was caught and forced into early retirement while Taki 183 kept on scribing his name around New York City. An article published in The New York Times 21 June 1971 edition titled “’Taki 183’ Spawns Pen Pals” shown light on the new art. After the introduction of the art of tagging, people soon attempted in replicating the art but with their own touch (but by no means was Taki 183 the first one to tag). The newly popularized art became out of hand and the city launched the Clean Train Movement of 1989 which “decommissioned any train with graffiti on it.” Over time The Metropolitan Transportation Authority recognized that riders appreciated the art and commenced the public art promotion, Arts for Transit. This would provide clean, appropriate and stationary art to MTA travelers.
Sources
"5Ptz.com - NYC Graffiti – 5Pointz – Graffiti Tours." About. NYC Graffiti, 2001. Web. May 2012. <http://5ptz.com/graff/about/>.
"Arts for Transit." MTA.info. MTA. Web. May 2012. <http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/>.
An Encyclopedia Britannica Company. "Dictionary." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>.
Charles, Don Hogan. "'Taki 183' Spawns Pen Pals." The New York Times, 21 July 1971. Web. May 2012. < http://evan-roth.com/blog_images/taki_183.pdf>
Platis, Chris. "Guide to Street Art: New York City." Off Track Planet. 14 Jan. 2011. Web. May 2012. <http://offtrackplanet.com/inspiration/street-art-nyc/>.
Pugh, TM. "Photos Of Williamsburg Buildings In Brooklyn." Photos Of Williamsburg Buildings In Brooklyn. Web. May 2012. <http://visual-archaeology.com/brooklyn- photos/williamsburg-buildings-1.html>.
"STREET ART UTOPIA We Declare the World as Our Canvas." STREET ART UTOPIA. Street Art Utopia. Web. May 2012. <http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=720>.
Surtees, Michael. "Quotes from Shepard Fairey at Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy : DesignNotes by Michael Surtees." Quotes from Shepard Fairey at Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy : DesignNotes by Michael Surtees. 28 Feb. 2009. Web. May 2012.
http://designnotes.info?=1693.
Various Contributors. "Dictionary." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 1999 - 2012. Web. May 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/urban>.
"Arts for Transit." MTA.info. MTA. Web. May 2012. <http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/>.
An Encyclopedia Britannica Company. "Dictionary." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>.
Charles, Don Hogan. "'Taki 183' Spawns Pen Pals." The New York Times, 21 July 1971. Web. May 2012. < http://evan-roth.com/blog_images/taki_183.pdf>
Platis, Chris. "Guide to Street Art: New York City." Off Track Planet. 14 Jan. 2011. Web. May 2012. <http://offtrackplanet.com/inspiration/street-art-nyc/>.
Pugh, TM. "Photos Of Williamsburg Buildings In Brooklyn." Photos Of Williamsburg Buildings In Brooklyn. Web. May 2012. <http://visual-archaeology.com/brooklyn- photos/williamsburg-buildings-1.html>.
"STREET ART UTOPIA We Declare the World as Our Canvas." STREET ART UTOPIA. Street Art Utopia. Web. May 2012. <http://www.streetartutopia.com/?p=720>.
Surtees, Michael. "Quotes from Shepard Fairey at Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy : DesignNotes by Michael Surtees." Quotes from Shepard Fairey at Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy : DesignNotes by Michael Surtees. 28 Feb. 2009. Web. May 2012.
http://designnotes.info?=1693.
Various Contributors. "Dictionary." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 1999 - 2012. Web. May 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/urban>.
Cover photos by Kelsey Dery