To correspond with the graffiti essays, I thought it would be fun to look at actual graffiti and discuss what it means to us, as well as how others might perceive it, to show that rhetoric and argument encompass far more than just academic writing. In the comment section below, post a link to a picture of graffiti you find particularly interesting (for whatever reason, positive or negative) and write a short paragraph about why you chose it, what you believe the person who made it was trying to communicate and how others may interpret it differently. If you would rather post a different take on a particular piece of graffiti that another student posted, you can do that instead (just make sure that it is a thorough analysis and repost the link in your response).
I'll get us started...
I particularly liked this graffiti and its play on words. A homeless man with a sign featuring the word "change" is fairly common, but this puts a spin on it, suggesting that circumstances changing is what is really needed, not money. The graffiti then becomes a political statement. There is also plenty of room for individual interpretation, as the specific type of change that is needed is not mentioned. Although I see it as a clever means of expression, some—possibly the homeless themselves—might take offense to the idea that overall change is what matters, not the individual's current needs.
21 comments:
I actually wrote my essay response about this particular piece of graffiti. http://www.pbase.com/sigphoto/image/63780419 It is found in Boise, Idaho where I grew up in a little alley that is referred to as "Freak Alley." I first saw it when I was thirteen and it inspired me so much that I actually got some of my senior pictures taken there. :)
I did a little searching and found this particular piece of graffiti to be very interesting. http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=graffiti&order=9&offset=24&loggedin=1#/dcwc5c
Supposedly it was found in Lithuania. I chose this because it was simple. There is no extreme decorating or patterns that need to been seen through in order to see the actual message of this graffiti. People are people. It's a simple phrase that can be taken in numerous ways, one that is simply saying we are all human, we all make mistakes sometimes and need to remember that instead of always condeming others. Some may take the graffiti offensively though, with the idea that people are not capable of changing, that we simply are how we are, and that could be interrpreted as "bad" people have no hope of ever changing.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/grafitti/lona723/grafitti/oz8-.jpg?o=172
I found this particular piece of grafitti to be quite compelling. No written words but it says so much. I'm sure that the meaning is different for everyone and I still have yet to decide on one solid interpretation. Maybe the artist believes that the youth will corrupt us or that war is killing babies. . . everyone is someones baby after all.
Note: My grafitti picture is labeled as "abortion grafitti" but I made my own iterpretations without the title as I'm sure others would considering the title isn't spray painted along with it.
http://img1.ilovegraffiti.de/media/blogs/en/May09/P4160522.jpg
I found this piece of graffiti to be really inspiring. Many people look at graffiti and don't think twice about it but this really stuck out to me. I look at graffiti and sometimes feel that the only way people feel they will be heard is in this way. This piece of graffiti reminds me that simple messages are inspiring if people would take the time to actually look at them.
http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/graffiti/graffiti_text_beatles.htm
This piece really stand out to me because it gives a message of hope, and reality. It is saying that nothing else in life is necessary other than love, and I think that is a great message. I also like the way that it is simple letter and design but that the message is still strong and beautiful. Other people may think that this is terrible because they do not see love as a good thing they see it as something that leads to hurt. I think the message behind this piece and the piece itself it beautiful
This particular image caught my eye because it is not a "classic" grafitti picture. Instead of creative shadowed words, it's a woman with a rainbow of colors on her head. This image to me shows unlimited positive energy. While she looks away in the distance her mind evolves into different shapes, colors, and textures. This can be interpreted that "the sky is the limit." It looks as if her expression shows that she can accomplish anything. It is an image of hope.
http://pixdaus.com/pics/w2SWbWyV9Zgs2VSu54.jpg
http://www.streething.com/archives/518
This piece drawn by Banksy caught my attention because it looks so realistic, like it was drawn with pen instead of paint. The old texture effect that he uses on his pieces just really jump out to people because it has a more personal fell I think. I thought what he was portraying was true, or what I was interpreting it as; the government is cracking down on the carefree children. I believe that people can interpret different meanings for themselves on this particular piece of artwork; no one knows for sure what his true intentions of drawing this piece was for--there's no wrong or right answer--Banksy gave us the chance to decide for ourselves.
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/bloods/20vs30.html
I find this picture interesting because it goes deeper than it appears. Sure it looks like Blood and Crip graffiti on a house in a bad neighborhood, but it helps sum up what has been going on in those neighborhoods for years. It illustrates the ongoing conflict between two of the more prevalent street gangs. The constant defacing of their rival gangs tagging is all it takes to keep the conflict going. The only purpose for the graffiti is to keep the “pot stirred.” I find it interesting that something as simple as a color or a number can cause such great conflicts. I think it’s ridiculous that people are willing to risk their lives for some graffiti on a wall.
http://posterchildprints.com/images/T/Saber_msk_small.jpg
I find this graffiti interesting because although the type and style of the words aren't all that complex, the creator chose to write on a affixiture of a building that must be at least twenty or so feet tall. This must have taken a lot of skill to write each letter so cleanly and neatly, while still maintaining it in regards to each other letter. The are where he has written also looks to be high up as well, so that must've made it a little harder to do as well.
I believe that this creator was trying to show how indifferent messages themselves are to the environment and the conditions around it, and how they can be found anywhere, even at the top of the tallest buildings. Others might interpret it differently as someone being self-centered, and very egotistical, if they are willing to go to such potential danger just to put THEIR message up there.
www.you-are-here.com/graffiti/violence.html
Out of all the pieces of graffiti that I looked at, I chose this one because I agree with what it says. "Violence Solves Nothing" may be three simple words, but they're powerful words that state the truth. I like how the artist painted the three words on a red background because that's the color of blood. That’s the only thing that violence is good for; causing a lot of bloodshed and unhappiness. The overall color usage of the graffiti is dark, which portrays how awful violence is. I see this graffiti as a message for people to stop relying on violence to fix their problems, and to find an alternative method for solving their conflicts.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/rynski/files/2009/11/grafhappy.jpg
This graffiti is so simple it just has these two words"Be Happy" but if one really does it than life is more wonderful and meaningful. I see this graffiti as a reminder that no matter what we do if we're not happy than nothing really matters. Being happy helps to study, work or just be with friends. I think being happy is so much better than money because money can come and go but your happines won't as long as you don't let it
http://www.chilloutpoint.com/art_and_design/banksy-street-graffiti-artist-that-makes-you-wonder.html
This is in reference to the escorted doughnut truck. This illustrates the value capitalist economies or "developed nations" put on excess and indulgence.
http://www.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/livestrong_james_jean_01.jpg
While the whole Livestrong concept is pretty familiar, i found that this representation of standing out and persevering even through mayhem provides for a more meaningful message than just a Nike brand.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2377/2375437002_10247b8422_b.jpg
This is an exact replica of the mural I saw when walking down Brooklyn when I was younger. I find this piece to be very emotional and historic as well as proud. This is a picture of Dr. King with one of his most famous quotes, which is extremely powerful! I don't know who has been to Brooklyn, but the part where this is located is not too good of a neighborhood and seeing a mural like this has true meaning! A man from history that did so much for his people and society as a whole painted on a wall will most definitely always make me stop and think...
"If At First You Don't Succeed - Call an Airstrike"
A graffiti art done by UK artist Banksy. I find the image both humorous and serious. More than likely this is a call out to governments and the decisions they make during a time of war. Bearing a minor interest in war and the cause & effect of war, Governments tend to unleash devastating weapons when a conflict has been going on too long or they need to end it quickly.
I don't want to start any arguments, but a prime example would be the atomic bombings of Japan during WWII. Although the allies could have most likely taken Japan with another ground assault with aerial support, America decides to deploy their nukes.
Additionally, the humor in the statements shows that Banksy is not intimidated to mock Governments about their rash decisions. Governments seem to be losing their "grip" on their people.
http://tradicionylacultura.blogspot.com/2010/09/tradicion-y-la-cultura.html
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/photos/text_graffiti_all_you_need_is_love.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/graffiti/graffiti_text_beatles.htm&usg=__nZLNXNidmf7PUdwf-KjuCPPfBec=&h=260&w=400&sz=42&hl=en&start=22&zoom=1&tbnid=rwSh0Cxrzt_tYM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=151&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgraffiti%2Blove%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1362%26bih%3D532%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C542&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=615&vpy=234&dur=141&hovh=181&hovw=279&tx=183&ty=115&ei=iTJ_TO68OMWqlAfVj_0Q&oei=gTJ_TJTtAYSClAei1OG-Dg&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:20,s:22&biw=1362&bih=532
This piece of graffiti caught my attention because of its simple message and delivery of that message. "All you need is love" is not only a quote from a popular Beatles song but it also gives a sense of hope to the concept of love. I love it because its inspirational even though its so simple.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9F9_RUESS2E/SsUc3hHIx-I/AAAAAAAABQ0/5HE_TOPVjlU/s800/banksy-graffiti-street-art-take-this-society.jpg
I chose this art because I thought it brought up a point that I mentioned in my essay on graffiti. The graffiti says, "Take this, society," and in my essay I talk about how graffiti artists deface public property without considering the fact that other people use the buildings too. Its the sense of entitlement that graffiti artists have that irritates me simply because I would never intentionally damage property that belongs to someone else.
On the other hand - not to make any stereotypes, but I'm going to do it anyway - people from lower socioeconomic areas are more likely to do graffiti than someone from lets say the suburbs. I believe there is a good possibility that the artist of this graffiti was not necessarily trying to deface public property, but rather express him or herself because he or she felt like society had dealt him or her a tough hand.
All seriousness aside, I'd like to think what the artist was truly trying to capture was the innocence of a child. The child in the graffiti is most likely not trying to "get back" at society, but rather a punk kid who found a can of paint in the garage.
http://www.chilloutpoint.com/art_and_design/banksy-street-graffiti-artist-that-makes-you-wonder.html
This partictular piece of graffiti caught my attention. It seems that these two kids want to play a ball game but they are restricted by some unknown authority. I think it represents the restrictions that authority has on us and the youth of our nation
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