Is Graffiti “Art”? Is graffiti art? What do you think of when you hear the word “graffiti”? Has anyone heard the term “street art?” Can graffiti do good? Can graffiti beautify? Can it spread a message?

Have you ever heard of “street art?” Is street art and graffiti the same thing? Street art is art, specifically visual art, developed in public spaces — that is, "in the streets" — though the term usually refers to unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. The term can include traditional graffiti artwork, sculpture, stencil graffiti, sticker art, wheatpasting and street poster art, video projection, art intervention, guerrilla art, and street installations. Typically, the term street art or the more specific post-graffiti is used to distinguish contemporary public-space artwork from territorial graffiti, vandalism, and corporate art.

Check out this cool optical illusion street art! As we look through them, think about what they all have in common….

So… What do they have in common??? The public is interacting with the art!

‘Street’ Artists are different… Because they have challenged art by situating it in non-art contexts (i.e. museums and galleries where the art is protected). They attempt to have their work communicate with everyday people.

Let’s look at a couple FAMOUS Artists!

Keith Haring 1958-1990 Keith Haring was born in Kutztown, PA. He moved to NYC to study at SVA. He became interested in street art he saw around the city.

What is symbolism? What is Haring trying to symbolize in this artwork? He began creating his own street art by using white chalk to draw on blank advertisement panels in the subways. Haring was determined to devote his career to creating a truly public art.  In 1980, Haring found a highly effective medium that allowed him to communicate with the wider audience he desired, when he noticed the unused advertising panels covered with matte black paper in a subway station. He began to create drawings in white chalk upon these blank paper panels throughout the subway system. Between 1980 and 1985, Haring produced hundreds of these public drawings in rapid rhythmic lines, sometimes creating as many as forty “subway drawings” in one day. This seamless flow of images became familiar to New York commuters, who often would stop to engage the artist when they encountered him at work. The subway became, as Haring said, a “laboratory” for working out his ideas and experimenting with his simple lines. He was particularly inspired by the beauty and spontaneity of the graffiti he saw in the subways. Graffiti spoke of a world that was hip and streetwise, creative and spontaneous and underground–all that he admired and wanted to be. At the same time, he admired the technical mastery and calligraphic quality of the graffiti artists’ ‘tags.’ He loved working in public and always worked during the daylight so that he would have interactions with the people walking by. He wanted his art to have this interactive experience throughout the process. Can you see what’s going on in this artwork? Many street artists use a lot of symbolism in their art. What do you think Haring is trying to communicate/symbolize? What is symbolism? What is Haring trying to symbolize in this artwork?

What principles of art do you see in these artworks? We talked about the principles of art. What principles do you see at work in these drawings? What kind of symbolism do you notice/ what is he trying to say? What principles of art do you see in these artworks? Keith Haring, Pop Shop V

Did Keith Haring do this. What about it reminds you of Haring’s work Did Keith Haring do this? What about it reminds you of Haring’s work? What about it is different. This is actually a work done by a street artist named Banksy. Has anyone heard of Banksy? What do you know about him? Why did he choose to reference Haring’s art in his art?

Banksy is a pseudonymous artist from Bristol, England. What do you think pseudonymous means? Have you heard of a pseudo name? What about a pen name? Why would a street artist want to remain anonymous? Is this artwork symbolic? What does the red balloon symbolize? Have you noticed the words to the right? Does that give you any clues?

What’s going on in this artwork. How did he use his environment What’s going on in this artwork? How did he use his environment? What does the fence make you think of? What do you think think this artwork symbolizes?

Richmond Mural Project Richmond gets a nod for ‘Best street art in the world’ The Richmond Mural Project is a yearly event with the goal of creating over 100 murals by world renown talent in the first 5 years alone. These street artists come from all over the world, including: Italy, California, Spain, New York, Argentina,   Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Belgium and Kansas. The main mission of the Richmond Mural Project is to make Richmond the top destination for Murals in the United States.    By specifically targeting walls in areas that are in disrepair, these murals can be positive catalyst for change. Examples are: murals placed in areas that have a lot of abandoned buildings and have low foot traffic, areas with high crime and areas in need of identity are just a few examples of how these Murals can make a positive change in the environment they reside in.

What’s the difference between Street Art and Graffiti? THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!

Let’s Learn to Write GRAFFITI! We are going to learn how to do graffiti writing to decorate our portfolios Let’s look at some graffiti examples

Have you seen graffiti like this before Have you seen graffiti like this before? How would you describe the letters?

How is this different from Banksy and Haring’s work How is this different from Banksy and Haring’s work? How could you make your nametag symbolic? Your assignment is to create a nametag that symbolically tells the viewer something about yourself.

What do they all have in common?

How to make GRAFFITI letters

Draw the outline sketch for the letters in pencil.

Add actual lines for the graffiti designs on the letters Add actual lines for the graffiti designs on the letters. Most graffiti designs have connected, intersecting or on top of one part of the other.

Fill in the basic colors.

Add darker tone on the graffiti colors.

Add more details by drawing a design on the graffiti Add more details by drawing a design on the graffiti. You can choose any design that you want. Metallic, balloon, fluffy, gummy, and so on. I chose drawing cracked lines on the sample.

Add the cast shadow to complete the graffiti.

Method 2

Draw the outline sketches for the letters.

Add the actual lines for the graffiti designs on the letters Add the actual lines for the graffiti designs on the letters. Draw pointed lines intersecting the others.

Erase the unnecessary lines.

Fill in the basic color.

Add the highlights and shadows.

Add more designs on the background to finish the graffiti.