Why They've Got Us All Wrong

London, UK - Repine Online - Monday, October 6th, 2008 : goo

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Let me ask you, what does a graffiti writer look like? How do they dress? What music are they into? I reckon these questions are unanswerable. Graffiti is a global phenomenon, which is constantly evolving, silently recruiting new members into the clique from all walks of life. From some recent television adverts it appears the media use it as a tool to make products seem slick and stylish in comparison to its loose and sometimes untamed characteristics, but I’m pretty sure mostly it is misunderstood and the people who do it, victims of very bad press.

Graffiti is grouped together by ‘news giants,’ like the BBC, with anti social behaviour (and rightly so) but words they coin to describe the individuals who belong to the ASBO culture, such as “hoodies,” just accentuate the negative stereotype that is wrongly placed on the majority of youth. Isn’t it possible that some writers don’t spend their Saturday nights holding bottles of White Lightning.

Some people try to supply explanations for why graffiti occurs. For example, I’ve heard it said that graffiti writers have anger or aggression issues that they choose to take out in this particular form. This may well be true in some cases, but I’d say it’s more about rebellion than anything else. Getting a kick out of breaking the law, not vandalising something as a substitute for rage.

A common assumption that people, ignorant of graffiti’s complexity often make, is that the writer must be tasteless and takes no care in his work. In fact the opposite is true. Graffiti is a study, a craft, and a science. It takes a particular type of person to be driven enough to make a name for themselves in the midst of all the negative shadows it seems to cast for the eyes of ignorant others. Many would have themselves think that to be as far removed from graffiti as is possible is the key to it not being visually unappealing, due to their not noticing it, but surely the more this is done, the worse the supposed eyesore will become when it is seen. If the reverse is effected and the person immerses themself in the culture, the true complexity and intricacy of graffiti will soon become visible.

We mustn’t forget that writers are the ones who are informed to a fuller extent, but are not able to show that they’re informed in all situations, for fear of disapproval, or even arrest.

Let me put across a scenario to you that I could easily get into if I didn’t keep my mouth shut when ignorant people spout off about how stupid graffiti is:

Me: “All right, how was your weekend”

My associate: “Oh, I’m pretty p...ed off. These f...in kids did a really big graffiti on my new Homebase, Mediterranean-style, fence panel. It’s ruined!”

Me: “Don’t get all stressed about it. Your fence probably looks better now”

My associate: “Oh shut up. Are you saying you’d like to spray your name in 5 foot letters on your own fence.

Me: “Yeah I’d do a good job of it as well, I like graffiti.”

My associate: “Well there’s no accounting for taste! You’re obviously a coarse, reckless, vandal.”

This is only a hypothetical situation, because, as this illustrates, speaking your mind gets you nowhere in our society. To do something you enjoy, that others frown upon, takes cunning. Being guileful and shrewd about the things you want kept secret is the only way they can stay covert.

It’s the same as someone who hides his smoking habit. The only difference is smoking is awful for your health and graffiti is positively healthy. It’s got many advantages. For example, practice of planning and logical thinking (to get to places your not supposed to be without being caught), fresh air, exercise, confidence and discipline (in constantly trying to improve and make the current attempt better than the last).

It’s a shame that so many people think differently, but then graffiti wouldn’t be what it is without strong opposition that makes doing it so much fun. Graffiti is about individuality, camaraderie and self-expression, so don’t shove it together with the rest of anti social behaviour, on level par.

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