Graffiti Styles

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There are many styles of graffiti art in the world. The most basic style was random carvings or paintings that are depictions of the artist’s life, ideals, or values. Through out history, from cave paintings to depictions of life in Pompeii, graffiti gives archeologists and sociologists an idea of the mindset of the general population. Even though in modern cultures, graffiti is considered vandalism, it still leaves a clear message of the education, political mindset, and overall vision of the artists.

The first kind and most popular graffiti is called “tagging” or “bombing”. This was created in the early 70’s when the artist would develop a signature and a handle. Tak182 was the first one credited to start the “bombing” movement. Being a foot messenger, he would ride subways and mark the trains he would ride with his signature “Tak182 was here” The popularity of bombing grew and an artist’s reputation was increased with the number of places (and more difficult) they could tag.

Subway cars were the prime canvas for New York graffiti artists until the anti-graffiti movement in the 80’s. People would break into the stations when the subway cars were stationed for the night and have time to do elaborate murals and even decorate a full car.

This was the start of the “Piece” or masterpiece. An artist would use three or more colors to create block or bubble letters for their signature, along with background images and even some characters to represent the artist.

Another form of graffiti is the “throw-up”. This is similar to the “tag” but uses a few more colors to outline and highlight the work. Speed was the key, as the artist usually does not want to get caught.

The last most common form is stencils. The artist usually will create a stencil from cardboard and will hold it up to their “canvas” and spray over it. This from requires no real artistic talent, but it does make up for speed and intricacy of design.

TAG - Graffiti Research Lab does it again!

Those ever-resourceful folks at G.R.L. (Graffiti Research Lab) have done it again! In an earlier post I talked about their Laser Tag system that allows someone to create building-size graffiti using a laser pointer.

The system uses a camera connected to a pc that tracks the laser pointer, then outputs what it sees with an attached LCD projector. The result is graffiti sprayed across, well, anything - buildings, bridges, etc.

Now they've constructed a TAG-mobile, building the entire system onto a large tricycle! You can see the TAG-mobile diagram here. Theres also a pretty cool video of the TAG system in operation here.

Of course, given the leanings of G.R.L., they are imploring users to write "Impeach Chainey" and other slogans, and well, maybe thats not such a bad idea!

"Non-standard" graffiti

"Non-standard" graffiti - now there's a contradiction! After all, the heart of graffiti is to be creative outside the norm, to go beyond (or around, over, underneath...) the traditional formats. Graffiti artists are the non-conformists of the art world! So what in the world do I mean by "non-standard" graffiti?

Most graffiti consists of spray-can art: pictures, tags, etc. We'll call that "standard" graffiti. Then there are "variations" on the theme: tagging with markers, painting with acrylics, even using stencils. And there are the targets: walls are pretty "standard". But some of the best graffiti consists of drawing on other surfaces and objects i.e. lamp-posts, billboards, etc. Some terrific graffiti is created by marking up statues and the like!

I find myself increasingly drawn to "non-standard" graffiti. I've recently seen entire books of the stuff!

One of the more interesting concepts is what I call "collage" graffiti. The idea is to use 'stuff' in place of 'paint'. The image up top is a great example. Created by Swoon, (and of course available at www.graffitipix.com) it basically consists of a paper illustration pasted onto a wall. It is simple, creative, and captivating, hallmarks of all good graffiti.

It also amazing how much of the stuff is out there. Once you start thinking about, you begin to see it everywhere!

So, seen any neat "non-standard" graffiti? Taken pictures of any?? Send 'em in, and I'll post them on the site!

Molly

Collaborative online graffiti fun!

I came across a neat little time-waster... ok not so little, I just spent over a half-hour before I even knew it. A very interesting idea: collaborative online graffiti.

Here's the premise- you enter a "room" that basically looks like a subway station platform. You get a spray can and a pick-box for spray type and color, and a few different brush types. Using your mouse, you tag away. Here's the neat part: you are not alone!

Each room has some number of fellow taggers. You see what they are doing, and they see what you are doing. As might be expected, there are the annoying "ruin everyone elses stuff" riff-raff, but you can click on their names and they are subsequently ignored! Now you see only your stuff and whomever you aren't ignoring!

Needless to say, there's lots of garbage, childishness, vulgarity, etc. But there's also some wonderful stuff!

All in all, a neat little diversion and a very clever idea for a few minutes of rec!

Even the name of the site, Graffiti Playdo, is suggestive of what you will find. But don't just listen to me, check it out!

Molly

A graffiti glossary...!

If you're reading this, you no doubt know that "bomb", "tag", "paint", and "spray" are different ways to describe creating graffiti. We probably understand that a "tagger" is "tagging up" when he/she does their "tag".

But unless you're an active tagger - or reading this blog! - most of us wouldn't know the terms "Icy Grape" or "Jungle Green" (old, discontinued Krylon spray-paint colors that are prized by taggers when the odd can turns up.).

Well, thanks to Zimbio and 149st.com, we can all learn the vernacular. I came across a graffiti glossary, and just had to pass it on...

Molly

L.A.S.E.R. Tag - how cool is that...?

I stumbled across this video on a Zimbio blog, and was blown away! Imagine using one of those laser-pointers to tag the side of a building 10 stories wide and half a block across?!?

Well, thats not exactly possible (yet!), but these guys at Graffiti Research Lab have combined some neat technology to simulate just that!

L.A.S.E.R. TAG video

Basically, they've outfitted a pc with a camera and software that tracks the light from the laser pointer and superimposes it over what the camera is looking at. Pointed at a building, the camera displays that image on the pc. Someone with a laser-pointer "tags" the building as if the laser-pointer were a paint brush or spray can. The camera then "paints" it onto the building!!

Whomever wrote the software really nailed it: the "paint" from the laser-pointer even drips after its applied!

Molly