This dissertation will explore street art and graffiti, and will explain why it deserves respect. I will look at the positive uses of graffiti and street art throughout their history and how they have earned their place in society. I will be discussing its appearance in New York City as well as its importance during the Egyptian revolution.

Graffiti, which has existed since the 1960s, has inspired many artists and has contributed to the history of art. Jean-Michel Basquiat is one example. Its roots are in the struggle to be heard and to receive respect. It’s an opportunity to express frustrations and say things that you would not dare to speak out about. Graffiti has always divided people. Some appreciate it as a form of art that everyone can enjoy, while others find it offensive.

Art that breaks the mold is not always embraced by society. The four lines are supposed to dictate how we should act and remain within the box. Graffiti is seen as an outright disrespectful and disturbing act because it challenges this mentality. When one feels there are still limits and restrictions in society, but believes that the world can change, stepping out of that box is the easiest way to challenge that system.

The outsider’s actions show you won’t conform to the societal norms. This often comes as a surprise because, as a group, we are used to living within certain boundaries. This causes controversy and raises awareness about certain issues. Graffiti’s main purpose isn’t to change the world, but to start a discussion. The message itself is less important than how it is conveyed. “Medium is a message”

Although street art is often based on political themes, it does not always have to be. Nowadays, everything comes in black, gray, and white. Graffiti, which is expressive, artistic and imaginative, shows the colors of the world.

Graffiti first appeared in New York City during the 1970s. In the 1970s, New York City was in disarray. It was close to bankruptcy and growing slums. Crime rates were also on the rise. New York City was represented visually by the sudden explosion of graffiti. As the graffiti grew, it became more elaborate and larger. NYC’s writers chose subway cars to spread their messages. Scribbling on walls in the neighbourhood was not enough to reach everyone. The main motivation for street art and graffiti is to raise awareness of the lives of people in other social classes.

The financial woes of the cities also contributed to graffiti’s rise. It wasn’t long before graffiti was associated with criminality and the public began to believe that graffiti is only done by criminals. Even though we can’t dispute that graffiti is an illegal act, I believe that not everyone does it to cause damage to public and private property or to be a nuisance to society. Except for some. These writers have a reason for doing it. No matter what the location, graffiti can be used to spark a dialogue, either for good or for bad. Some graffiti artists experiment with vandalism to gain experience, while others see their art as giving voice and power to the oppressed.

In the past, graffiti was a financial burden on cities. However, this has changed over time. Some graffiti and street art may be contributing to the gentrification of certain neighborhoods and increasing their appeal. One example is the neighbourhoods of SoHo. Statistics show they have low crime rates, even though there are many graffiti.

The street art of New York which was once considered a sign that criminals were out to get you, is now attracting tourists and more urban customers that advertisers and businesses are trying to reach. In turn, the street art in New York attracts tourists and urban consumers that businesses and advertisers are trying to reach. People who are against graffiti as well as those who paint it have the same end goal.

It is also important to consider the terminology. While the term graffiti is often associated with gangs or ‘irrelevant tags scrawled all over cities,’street-art’ has a softer perception. This is because the word â€art†implies that there’s a process to the piece, and that it is art. This approach is supported in part by the theory known as symbolic interactionism. The idea behind this method of thinking states that people react to objects based on what they perceive them to be. These meanings come from social interactions and are then modified through interpretation. When a graffiti artist uses both a brush and a spray paint can to create the same piece of art, people will respond differently. The paintbrush has a more ‘genuine’ meaning while the spray paint can is already associated with negative associations. Veng, a graffiti artist from Hong Kong, is a perfect example. He says that while he paints outside with brushes with no problem at all, when he uses spray paint to do the same thing he gets questioned and viewed as suspicious.

But graffiti and street arts have not just been shown to benefit a city’s tourism and economy. These works are a source of inspiration. We now move on from the subway cars painted in the 1970s to the walls in Egypt.

In April of 2008, the movement April 6 Youth was created to promote peaceful activism. Originally the April 6 Youth Movement was created to support El-Mahalla’s workers, a northern Egyptian industrial town. Workers were planning to strike for workers rights on 6th April. This group initially aimed to just document the struggles within the country in social media. As a crackdown of protests continued however, Egyptians activists called for a protest against poverty and corruption which the country was facing under President Hosni Mobarak for 30 years. Khaled Mubarak’s death by Egyptian police, a year before, triggered this uprising.

Graffiti, another medium to highlight the problems facing their nation on April 6, was also used. The first stencils were of Khaled Saeed, then came small silhouettes. Street art confirmed to all the artists that they were part of a great thing. Art should be able to express feelings, thoughts and impulses which are shared or needed by a large number of people.

Graffiti is not just paint on the wall. It can take many forms. Graffiti is often associated with advertising, as it’s something people are familiar with and will resonate. Ganzeer used stickers and poster to demonstrate his opposition. This type might be accepted more by the society as it is more appropriated.

Most of the artists who were involved in April 6 are young and well-educated. The artists I met all had intelligent, courteous minds and more than just a desire to make art on walls. The idea that graffiti writers are all ignorant hooligans would be dispelled. The uprising was so important that posters were circulated on “How to Revolt Intelligently” which gave individuals instructions on how to handle tear gas canisters or rubber bullets in the event they got caught. It is clear that graffiti is a risky game, and that people are willing to put their lives at risk to write.

A group of people from Cambridge also showed their mastery of the art when they wrote in Latin on luxury homes ‘locus populum’, which means ‘locals’ or a room in the house. This shows that graffiti artists are intelligent individuals who understand their surroundings and target audience. What is considered’mindless’ vandalism actually requires a great deal of thought.

Street art reflects the differences between revolution and system. The revolution, which has bought comfort to the Egyptians, has made them forget the pain and murders caused by the system. The revolution changed the walls that were built by the system to colourful, playful pieces.

You no longer own that emotion once you’ve thrown it on the wall. Everyone owns it. It shows how vulnerable an artist is. It is important to incite change as it shows the vulnerability of an artist. This reminds us that graffiti is not a form of expressionless art, and artists have feelings. I believe that encouraging interaction and dialogue through my graphic design work is essential because it shows a message being sent out to its intended audience.

Street art’s political motives are not limited to the Middle East. Banksy is one of many artists who produce work for the purpose of raising awareness and opening doors to conversation. “I would like to think that I am brave enough to challenge democracy and to call for things nobody else believes, such as justice and peace”

Banksy’s career is a testament to the fact that Banksy, and other artists, are always looking for ways to show how society works. His pieces are now highly valuable and sought-after. His popularity has helped bring graffiti and street arts to the forefront.

Banksy’s work is almost always anti-capitalism and against’making huge bucks’. They don’t value graffiti as much as they do anything else that doesn’t make money. Bansky’s messages always hit the higher classes. But it is these same people who are quick to buy a Bansky work for?500,00. They expect that they can do whatever they want and make more money with these pieces. The city might be happier with that?500,000 Bansky painting in a museum, but it is not appreciated by graffiti artists or people who truly love the art. Street art doesn’t count if it’s on the road. Street art should not be seen in a gallery, or even in the home of a wealthy person. It’s because it’s street art.

As such, it’s better to have a site-specific work. Banksy’s West Bank wall work is a great example. The Palestinians sold two freestanding pieces of art to Keszler Gallery who tried to sell the works for as high as $750,000. The entire point of the work is defeated. Bansky’s Palestine work is one of his most famous pieces. It was created to demonstrate the Palestinian struggle and the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The use of graffiti as a way to communicate a topic or issue that’s abstract or unfamiliar to most people is refreshing.

Recently, Banksy-inspired graffiti was used to teach children about current events and facilitate their learning. Because they are still children, they are shielded from topics like extremism. They are also not allowed to express their opinions. It can be hard to explain certain topics to children. Using graffiti to express feelings is an effective way to help them. Banksy inspired a Slough Primary School to teach children about extremism. Graffiti, a meaningful form of art that can benefit young minds in many ways, is not just a way to inspire them but to also develop their identity. Graffiti is a form of art that allows people to express themselves and their emotions. It also helps them to establish their cultural and social identity. The act of graffiti is a great way for people to escape their problems and transform them into something colorful and creative. It also serves as an expression of their feelings and emotions and can be a powerful form of self reflection.

Banksy and Blek le Rat are two examples of street artists who have created graffiti. The guerrilla artist movement uses the same concept as traditional, but it also incorporates other media than paint and wheatpasted posters. Digital technology, installation and performance art are among the forms of art that can be used. The mediums used are not limited and can often be used to open people’s minds without them realising. Amir Baradaran created an app called ‘Frenchising Mona Lisa,’ which is a form of guerrilla artwork. Baradaran launched this channel after France banned the hijab. In France, the hijab is a symbol of “Frenchness,” and a threat to the secular ideals. The app displayed the Mona Lisa on a screen while placing the French Flag ‘hijab,’ or scarf, over her head. This app provokes the question of what is a national identity and whether it exists. Lisa del Giocondo had no ties to France but she managed to become a part of a landmark that is now a symbol of France’s capital.

Graffiti became a language in its own right for certain groups. Writing on walls is reminiscent of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Hobo Code was the hieroglyphic language of the Hobos in recent years. Hobos were nomads that travelled the country searching for any type of honest employment. Hoboes were nomadic individuals who moved around the country looking for honest work. They developed a secret code of icons to help them communicate. These tags may look like normal graffiti to an ordinary person but they have a lot more meaning for nomads. The icons were both a welcome and an alert. This icon lets them know they aren’t alone. These icons were used to indicate a number of things such as; where food could be found, if an area was safe for sleeping, if work was available and how food was obtained.

This language took many people suffering and enduring unfortunate circumstances to create. This language changed constantly as the years passed to reflect changes in life. This is relatable to designers because it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technology. It is still used today, in blogs, brochures, and word-of-mouth, to tell people where to travel and where to avoid when visiting new places.

In the late 1800s, the hoboes came up with a strict code of ethics and a language that disproved many stereotypes surrounding graffiti. The hoboes took pride in living a life of honesty and courtesy. We should also follow their ethics. It is clear that graffiti writers are not bad people who have no respect for others. If it was true, codes such as this wouldn’t exist.

It is a controversial art form and has been questioned by society for years. The question of whether or not it should be accepted continues to be debated. Many will forever link street art and graffiti to gangs, hooliganism and gang culture no matter how positive an artist’s work can be for a particular city. From the outside, the artists want to convey a message. Street art is beautiful. The emotion expressed by an artist is so personal that even though others may feel the same or be in similar situations, no two artists will express that emotion the same. Yet, they all share the same goal- to remind the society that it matters. While they may not be in the same city or country, they do matter. They matter because their emotions do matter.

Graffiti is not meant to intimidate people, but rather to make them aware of the world. Graffiti is considered a dishonest art form, one that must be hidden and anonymous. When stripped to its essence, graffiti and street art are among the most honest forms of art. It is not a softened subject, it is not elitist, and there’s no charge to watch it. This film shows the world exactly what it needs.

When the audience becomes a variable in an artwork, I discovered that its quality can change dramatically. Graffiti needs to be interacted upon, even when it is perceived negatively. It is determined by how an individual feels about a particular piece. The piece is worthless if you walk past a mural that shows political and social struggles without even batting an eyebrow.