According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, graffiti is “an inscription or drawing made on some public surface…a message or slogan…” As an artist, graffiti provides a platform for self-expression, in which the context of urban existence is directly informed, referenced and influenced by. As a student, graffiti was the only art form that provided representation of my community, my music, and my values. As an educator, graffiti has the potential to engage youth with familiar priorities of urban identity, agency, and navigation. I propose graffiti is a containment of identity, as defined by Margot Waddell, by allowing me to build an identity based purely on the merit of my efforts, liberating me away the marginalization of my physical identity. “Tagging is not simply an act of vandalism or violence; it is a social practice with its own rules and codes – a literacy practice imbued with intent and meaning.” – MacGillvray & Curwen
Graffiti. (n.d) In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
MacGillivray, L., & Curwen, M. S. (2007). Tagging as a Social Literacy Practice. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 50(5), 354-369.
Waddell, M. (1998). Inside Lives: Psychoanalysis and the Growth of the Personality. New York: Routledge.
Graffiti. (n.d) In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
MacGillivray, L., & Curwen, M. S. (2007). Tagging as a Social Literacy Practice. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 50(5), 354-369.
Waddell, M. (1998). Inside Lives: Psychoanalysis and the Growth of the Personality. New York: Routledge.
by Kane One October 6, 2010
Unwanted art and expression on public or private property. Causes monetary distress to the owner of the "canvas", and a feeling of wanting to kick the ass of the punk that expressed himself.
by Tony1234567 June 24, 2005
Commonly misspelled as grafitti, graffitti, grafiti, etc. Learn how to fucking spell it, and then maybe someone will respect your piece.
by KMS1 June 21, 2005
A popular pastime for poor people and children with ADHD. One of the reasons why we can't have nice things.
"Daddy, who put all that scribble on the walls?"
"It was those long-hairs from the Occupy Wall St movement. It's their way of saying they the hate people who give them money. People like us. They call it graffiti."
"It was those long-hairs from the Occupy Wall St movement. It's their way of saying they the hate people who give them money. People like us. They call it graffiti."
by Reggie_dunbar November 11, 2011
Vandalism committed by gangbangers and their suburban wannabes (Who never tag up their own neighborhoods because if their parents found out, they would take away the BMW) in my friggin' neighborhood using paint, scratching glass, poo, mud, etc.
Popularized in graffiti shows by shitheads like Mark Ecko and the crappy Scion toaster company who don't like graffiti in their own neighborhoods either. It was bad enough when it was gangs marking territory. Now there are overgrown little kids who crave attention and want their tag to show up on the news. Get your parents to buy you some canvas, or go cut yourself, or take ex and nitrous, or drugs, or whatever else you do for kicks, and just hurt yourself, and leave Richmond alone you wannabes.
Cochinos!
Popularized in graffiti shows by shitheads like Mark Ecko and the crappy Scion toaster company who don't like graffiti in their own neighborhoods either. It was bad enough when it was gangs marking territory. Now there are overgrown little kids who crave attention and want their tag to show up on the news. Get your parents to buy you some canvas, or go cut yourself, or take ex and nitrous, or drugs, or whatever else you do for kicks, and just hurt yourself, and leave Richmond alone you wannabes.
Cochinos!
by ch00mp June 13, 2009
The term for irrelevant, unimportant, or annoying Wall posts on social networking websites such as Facebook.
I went to check my Facebook for that link you gave me, and I couldn't find it because of all the graffiti!
by Shotgun Ninja February 11, 2011
The act of marking a surface with markers/mops,aerosol paint,bucket paint,tar,scratching the surface,etc. It is usually done illegally on private or public property. Legal work is not graffiti, it's graffiti influenced art. Graffiti has exsisted since cave drawings, but modern graffiti (other than gang graffiti) didn't begin until the early to mid 60's in philly.It is often misunderstood by the mainstream as being hip-hop. Graffiti is an important part of hip-hop, but hip-hop is not an important part of graffiti. It exsisted way before hip-hop. There is no one type of person(writers) who creates graffiti. People of every race,religion,gender,age,sexual oreintation,or social class participate.
by roo83 June 2, 2009