Graffiti

Ancient Symbols

A Celtic cross. The symbol is associated with Celtic Christianity, although it has older, pre-Christian origins.

Egyptian symbol of eternal life.

Four Leaf Clover-is a renown symbol that means good luck to the person who finds one.

Symbolism

YIN-YANG PEACE

Logos

What is Graffiti?

Graffiti. Term applied to an arrangement of institutionally illicit marks in which there has been an attempt to establish some sort of coherent composition: such marks are made by an individual or individuals (not generally professional artists) upon a wall or other surface that is usually visually accessible to the public.

Is Graffiti Art or Vandalism ?

Site-SpecificWhat does this refer to?

Site-specific art is artwork created to exist in a certain place. Typically, the artist takes the location into account while planning and creating the artwork.

Christo and Jean-Claude

Conor Harrington – White Street Car Park, Cork City

Art or Vandalism?

Art or Vandalism?

Cash machine abducting young girl

Banksy

Closer To Home – Cork City

History of Graffiti

Graffiti type practice has been around for millions of years.

Romans wrote on the walls of buildings they conquered and cave men drew illustrations on cave walls

Graffiti first became known by many names, most commonly termed graffiti begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the mid to late 1960’s.

The writers who are credited with the first conscious bombing effort are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL. They wrote their names all over the city gaining attention from the community and local press.

History of Grafiti

Graffiti was used primarily by political activists to make statements and street gangs to mark territory.

It wasn't till the late 1960s that writing's current identity started to form.

The New York Stytle

Shortly after CORNBREAD, the Washington Heights section of Manhattan was giving birth to writers.

In 1971 The New York Times published an article on one of these writers. TAKI 183 was the alias of a kid from Washington Heights.

TAKI was the nick name for his given name

Demetrius and 183 was the number of the street where he lived.

He and other teens used permanent markers to tag or write their names, followed by the number of the street on which they lived, in subway cars.

Graffiti Tags-What Are They?

Graffiti tags, simply put, is the way that people who know anything about graffiti, can tell one piece of graffiti from another. In some quarters a tag is much the same as a painter’s signature might be on a painting, it references the person to whom that piece of work belongs.

Mind Map-Ideas for a Tag

Begin with your name

Write down things about yourself,

numbers addresses etc.

From the information you

have written words can be abbreviated,

changed etc. to come up with your

personal tag.

Descriptive Words-Examples

Descriptive Word Task

Create your own descriptive words: Choose two from the following list:

WaterFireDripSpeedWavesHalloween

Balance ConsiderationSymmetrical:   

Equal on both sides

Asymmetrical:   Informal placement

Radial: From a center point

Principles of the Design

Proportion (size)                

Emphasis (one part stands out)  

Variety (differences)

Rhythm (movement)           

Pattern (repeating)                     

Unity (goes together)