Graffiti is a form of expression for the voices of the unheard. Graffiti is in human nature, from the prehistoric caves marked up with paint, describing our ancestors' stories. To a young child's mischievous acts of taking their crayons and writing on their mother's walls, graffiti will never die. Many times this form of Art is associated with acts of vandalism and lowlifeness. But the story of graffiti in Los Angeles displays an act of rebellion against the forces that silenced many in the streets of Los Angeles. There are different types of graffiti: the kind that claims a territory, placas. And the new sophisticated, modern Art designed with a computer sold in art galleries.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I was exposed to different types of graffiti. Some serve to tell a story, pleasantly incorporated into the various aspects of the city. A loved aesthetic in the wild streets of Melrose. Loved by the domestic tourists in awe with the curves and colors and realistic faces plastered on the walls.
Hey Luis! I love how you showed different types of graffiti. Reason being that I think graffiti in Melrose is completely different than graffiti seen in Pacoima (a low income area where I live by). These different types of graffiti each serve a purpose and hold a certain level of beauty that should be highlighted.
ReplyDeleteHey Luis, great work defining and presenting the different forms of graffiti you have seen in L.A.
ReplyDeleteI love how you displayed the different forms of graffiti you have seen growing up in Los Angeles. As you mentioned Melrose has become a space for modern artist to showcase their art and sometimes be commissioned by certain companies for creating these pieces. Something that bothers me about the realm of graffiti is how P.O.C. artist who creates murals in south-central is not as acclaimed and celebrated for there pieces, compared to the tourist who treats the murals in Melrose as an Instagram essential.