20 Feb The world of kings, tags, throw-ups and toys is getting boring
Do graffiti artists self-reflect?
If they did what would they discover?
One common belief is the act of ‘tagging’ is a form of egotistical self expression. By writing your name over and over you are showing the world you exist and are important. It’s a version of the final scene of the breakfast club – don’t you forget about me.
I think graffiti taggers are shit. They are all amateurs. To use their own words, they are ‘Toys’. None of them have ever had a good idea in their lives. They are so preoccupied with their own name that they have nothing else to say to the world. They are Caravaggio’s Narcissus staring at their own reflection.
Some graffiti is good
One philosophy of architecture is to add value to the landscape. Take the Sydney Opera House for example. It obstructs a wonderful harbour view. But what it takes it inversely adds through aesthetic value.
A good piece or throw-up can have this power. A writer who takes the time to practice and create more complex art, should be valued as an artist. If they are adding colour to a place devoid of it, then I say go for it. Melbourne CBD is an example of this.
There are members of the graffiti community who maintain illegality and risk are key to authenticity. Grace under pressure or as Aroe, a former member of MSK, says “the thrill of the chase”. This shared experience of doing better than an adversary helps to create the feeling of belonging to a community. I think the community is broken. They have lost their way.
Kids think too small and lack imagination
To be an artist you have to act as an individual. You can’t care about anyone else. Oneupmanship or marking-territory is for children. You can be part of a crew but the pursuit for perfection should be the medium not the location. What’s the point of it all if it’s not about the art?
The concept of illegality or location makes the whole pursuit about your ego. It’s social media with a spraycan.
If the idea was about subverting public spaces then that ship sailed in the 80’s. Your art form is well and truly mainstream. In my neighbourhood alone, there are literally 1000s of walls you’d be allowed to paint on if you just asked.
On the whole, I love graffiti. The conversation between legitimate artform vs vandalism will go on. My gripe today is I’m bored with taggers. There seems to be a trend of encouraging amateurs to value volume over style. This is idiocy and the blame can levelled at other writers.
I’ve called out taggers on social media for a lack of originality and technique and they all quickly circle the wagons and defend each other. It’s clear they’re all happy with mediocre.
Caravaggio’s Narcissus depicts the mythological Narcissus. A handsome youth who falls in love with his own reflection. I’ll leave further interpretation up to you.
Perfecting your handstyle is great but isn’t it time you try something new?
Buck the peer group pressure trend. Experiment! Push the boundaries. Don’t do the same thing over and over. Maybe then you will become a Picasso. For now, you are all just mosquitoes destined to be forgotten.
Further reading:
Great article in the Guardian written by Nick Turner.
Any books by Rafael Schacter: The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti; Ornament and Order: Graffiti, Street Art, and the Parergon; Street to Studio;
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.