ANCIENT ART

GRAFFITI

     April 26, 2011

  

Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. It has existed, in one form or another, since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire...even earlier, the prehistoric cave paintings or scratchings.

It's an art form that I particularly love...it's the art of the people and a reflection of their culture. It helps us gain understanding into lifestyles and language of the cultures that produce it...past and modern day history In modern times, paint...particularly spray paint...and marker pens have become the most commonly used graffiti materials. Graffiti has its own vocabulary and many forms of expression. Themes haven't changed too much through the centuries: they continue to be based on human emotions, political and religious rhetoric, social ideals and simple words of thought. Artists just want the public to admire their art...and, I believe it IS art as it's highly decorative.  The canvas is larger and more public, though. Here are some examples that I love...

 

Here's the reason I'm sharing my love of graffiti with you...it's because of a project I recently discovered... graffiti based... that inspired an entire neighborhood in New Orleans. Created by artist CANDY CHANG it's an unusual type of graffiti... a mural of sorts...applied to a boarded-up building in the artist's neighborhood. The painting, "BEFORE I DIE I WANT TO..."  takes the form of a blackboard with fill-in-the-blank areas where passersby can note their desires. Chang provided small baskets of chalk for the purpose. Twenty-four hours after the installation was completed, every line was filled with the hopes, dreams and desires of contributors...some sincere, some funny and of course, some meant to offend. Once the wall was filled, it was washed down with water so the slate was clean for additional participants. April 10th was the last day for the project as the HOUSE was purchased. The positive part is that it will, once again, become a HOME.  What a brilliant way to gauge the consciousness of a community. Here are the photos from the event...enjoy,  and let me know how you'd fill in the blank...

Before I die, I want to see my grandchildren happily settled into their adult lives...and I'd like to complete my children's book!

'Til our next visit,
abbyj