About Graffiti.

Graffiti is the plural of graffito, which is a term derived from Greek graphein that means “to write”. Graffiti means a scribbling or drawing on a wall or any flat surface. Graffiti can be a simple mark or an intricate and colorful work of art. The intention in creating these marks varies. It could be an inner desire for a public acceptance and appreciation or the need to utilize a public space or a person’s private space for an individual or group’s recognition or communication, and other purposes. With the very nature of graffiti being illegitimate, most of these are done on public toilets, buses, walls of garages, trains and jail chambers in order to convey underground messages.

Graffiti can also be an art, a form of self expression that even if illegal is not necessarily vandalism. These markings or form of art is created with the use of paint, ink, scratches and other possible ways in order to put across a message or express one’s self. The most popular tool for fast and easy execution is the spray paint cans. However, it must be understood that graffiti as an art should not be identified with other markings or writing on the walls that are offensive or violent like uptown graffiti that uses foul language and rough drawings of obscene subjects. Graffiti is not vandalism as many people mistook it for, and it is not done to damage properties and off-limit areas such as churches or any place of worship, residential properties, and cemeteries.

To a few, the definition of graffiti is simply an artistic vandalism. Even if the graffiti was made with utmost artistry by an incredibly talented graffiti artist, if it is done on public walls or any public flat surface, it is still considered vandalism and has become a huge outdoor problem for our society. Graffiti has always been surrounded by an immense deal of controversy concerning its legality and validity. While, many appreciate graffiti as a progressive and meaningful form or art, others consider it as unpleasant, useless damage both to private and public property.

The first appearance of graffiti was found in areas such as Rome, Pompeii, Tivoli, and Mesoamerica. However, graffiti is more commonly associated with twentieth-century urban communities, especially in the United States.