Blog Post 7: Graffiti

 

Venice Beach graffiti - Pixabay

Graffiti is a way to manifest self-esteem and self-expression and it usually begins with wild and uncontrollable adolescence at the start of each new generation. The chapter by Charles “Chaz” Bojórquez states that, “Graffiti is a new type of imagery irreverent to any rules” (117). Of course, Los Angeles has a plethora of graffiti and the history behind it is just as plentiful with intricacies and styles. Something I did not know about graffiti is that each style has its own name and has its own way of being produced. One such style is called placas, or a pledge of allegiance to one’s neighborhood that is placed on a wall. Placas are commonly seen as the graffiti in uppercase letters. Tagging a wall with a placa is an artistic way of expressing a formal document that encourages gang strength and exclusivity. This art is written in a format with a headline, body copy, and a logo - similar to ancient Sumerian ancient clay tablets and the Constitution of the United States. 

I don’t have experience with tagging, or graffiti, other than seeing it on walls, freeway underpasses, and on the sides of small stores when I was living in LA County. Growing up, there was this idea that graffiti was “bad” or an indication of gang activity. Even the article says that graffiti is often associated with “vandalism, destructive behavior, and meaningless scribbles. We also hear about the enormous cost to property value caused by tagging” (117). I was also taught that graffiti is something to be scared of, the article states this too. I never understood this concept of associating graffiti with vandalism and fear because it just, to me, seemed like public artwork. Though I know now after reading the article that there is more symbolism, art styles, and form to graffiti, I never once thought it to be something I should be afraid of.