post 1: What is Graffiti?

Have you ever wondered what are those words and drawings depicted on walls? Isn't it illegal?  Is it some kind of art form?

I saw the meaning of graffiti in the Oxford Dictionaries, and it is said there that “Graffiti is writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.”  After I have known the meaning my interest to graffiti got bigger, so I've searched more about it. I came across to an article by Susan A. Phillips entitled Graffiti Definition: The Dictionary of art. She defined graffiti “as illicit marks that has coherent compositions.” She also defined it as “a type of discontinuous communicative strategy through which people can engage in a visual dialogue which does not rely on face-to-face interaction or necessary knowledge of the writers' identities.”

Based on my understanding to the article, Graffiti is some sort of illegal action made by people because it is vandalism. It is also a type of communication where the message is delivered to all who sees the work. Graffiti also transformed from simple toilet vandals to colorful artistic writings on walls.

She also stated that graffiti “has also become attractive to certain professional fine artists -- the work of the late Keith Haring in particular became "legitimized" as it moved from New York's subway walls to the walls of galleries and private collectors in the USA.” By that statement I can say that graffiti is a form of art. Personally I look at graffiti as a form of art, because of its fine details and color.

In conclusion, Graffiti is seen everywhere (on walls, streets, buildings and other place that can be painted on). It is illegal because it is not permitted by the government and it is vandalism, but if you will understand and look closely to these work you will appreciate it as a work of art.