"Graffiti is Dead"...or is it?

[streetsilence]

Thought I'd do a set from this old abandoned rail road track. Explored while riding down the LA River trail. Inspired by the debate of whether Graffiti is "Dead" or "Not", is it still an "Art Form", "Gibberish", or "A Voice", "A revolution" or a "Rebellion"? What do you think?

My thoughts.... Graffiti seems to me to have gotten over saturated by advertising companies, looking to capture the so called "Urban" audience. When this art form was sold to corporations like Coke, McDonald's, Walmart, Apple, etc., it seemed to have lost its passion and message behind what the essence of graffiti really is. Just like Hip Hop has become the voice of all urban culture and the only way to connect the consumer with the product. It is used as a marketing tool. Not for the primary purpose of speaking out! That separation of art, culture and dollar signs have taken away from it's essence. Separating the history from the artist. It's seems to me that most of the new Graffiti heads out there don't now the history behind Graffiti. There is a difference between Graffiti and Tag. They are two completely different things. It's not about the "Name", it's about the message...it's bigger than "YOU". Not to bash all graffiti heads at all. There are some heads trying to keep it alive in that realm, just like there are some MC's in the Hip Hop realm trying to keep it alive, and continue to do their part. I am all for progression. But Stop and think what "Graffiti" would say right now about the state of it's existence.

Don't get me wrong...I love Graffiti. I used to get up a little bit. I wouldn't be taking time out to write this and promote dialogue if I didn't have a passion and appreciation for it. I just want to keep it alive. Just like Hip Hop!

Title: Graffiti Ended (Dead MC Scrolls)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2424482852_aa5aef0202.jpg

Title: Ink Tracks
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2424483152_08fe94d806.jpg

Title: Still Standing
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2423670559_71c20cbfa1.jpg

Title: Follow Me
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2423670269_b46ce1ea16.jpg

Title: E S C O
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2423669759_3d031cc98b.jpg

Title: Run Over (Left for Dead)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2424480946_79b9dc7b1a.jpg

Title: Far From Home
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2424480536_135956ec4e.jpg

Title: The End
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/2424481318_4e7634e576.jpg
All images processed in Photomatix and taken into Lightroom. All taken from Canon 400D with 18-55mm Kit Lens.

[watson10]

Good urban feel. Like the combo of graffiti and rust. I liked the spray can in 1 and 2 but not the others.

[streetsilence]

Good urban feel. Like the combo of graffiti and rust. I liked the spray can in 1 and 2 but not the others.

Thanks for the feedback... Highly appreciated. Glad you like them though. The can in still standing was to provide a visual for the debate on if graffiti was "Dead" or "Alive". Still standing is for those how think it is still alive. The can on Run Over (Left for Dead) also is to provide a visual for the same debate. hence the "Dead" part...run over. Thanks again for the feedback. Peace!

[Dan_S]

Cool shots, i like no.1 the best :)

[BottomBracket]

Imaginative series, I like it, though it became a bit repetitive. I like the PP and compositions. What does ECSO stand for?

[nicksan]

I like #1 as well.

[Invisibletape]

me too

[streetsilence]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I know what you mean by repetitive...that was really my intentions. Based on the topic at hand. I wanted to convey a message and a visual attachment to the debate of Graffiti Being "Dead" or "Alive". I also think #1 is my fave as well. Thanks again everyone. Peace!

[justmatthews]

Great series, great photos, well done.

[td67mustang]

i like the first and the last the best. I like the first because it doesnt show any of the script on the can. I find it distracting in the others. It may have been better if the can was in worse shape, maybe unreadable. Really like the overall feel though, nice job.

[streetsilence]

Great series, great photos, well done.

Thanks for the feedback.. Higlhy appreciate it.

[streetsilence]

i like the first and the last the best. I like the first because it doesnt show any of the script on the can. I find it distracting in the others. It may have been better if the can was in worse shape, maybe unreadable. Really like the overall feel though, nice job.

That's funny... my better half said the same thing. she was like..."why is the can so clean and fresh"? She said it would have been better if the can was wore out and rusty. I completely agree with you and her. It was the only can out there... so I thought well, "I guess it was used recently", so Graffiti must be alive. But all I saw new was nasty tags. That's not graffiti. There goes my argument!

[Copilot]

I hate how graffiti has gone from being artistic bombs to what it is today which is a bunch of teenagers spraying crappy tags all over everything, with no respect for private property like people's houses. Love the shots, 1st is my fav.

[streetsilence]

I hate how graffiti has gone from being artistic bombs to what it is today which is a bunch of teenagers spraying crappy tags all over everything, with no respect for private property like people's houses. Love the shots, 1st is my fav.

First of all thank you for the comments. Highly appreciate it. Secondly.. you hit it right on the money with that one. "Respect". In order to keep the art form "Art" you have to respect the history of it and what it has brought to this culture. It's seems like just another element of our culture that has been misused and misrepresented. Thanks for commenting for the topic at hand. Peace Copilot!

[lmulderi]

1 is great with the leading lines pointing to the can. "Esco" is great too.

Nice series

[streetsilence]

1 is great with the leading lines pointing to the can. "Esco" is great too.

Nice series

Thanks a lot for the feedback. Really appreciate it. Peace!

[Jim G]

I really dig the first one and the first two ones with just tracks in them. Great work. Also nice captions... Dead MC scrolls gave me a laugh. :p

[andrewaaa5]

DEAD IS GRAFFiTi:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=357301&highlight=dead
!!

[streetsilence]

I really dig the first one and the first two ones with just tracks in them. Great work. Also nice captions... Dead MC scrolls gave me a laugh. :p

Haha! Thanks for the feedback. Highly appreciated!

"Dead MC Scrolls" a book written by Saul Williams. Check out this article written my one of my good friends -Mike the Poet-
saul-williams-the-power-of-hip-hop/

[JamesConnor]

These are all awesome. I really like your style. I have not yet tried HDR but i have been wanting to, and now that i am thinking about it, there were a couple shots i took this last weekend that probably would have looked great had i thought about it. Alot of people think my style ends up being too dark once i am done with pp and even though i like it, i am trying to learn more so that i have a more options when it comes time to pp my shots.

[ryandavid__]

Nice PP, it really optimizes the kit lens.

[jsphotos]

Graffiti and Street Art is well and Alive!

[Andrushka]

very cool series... i agree- crappy tags are stupid eye soars, true graffiti art is amazing

[streetsilence]

Thanks for the comments people. Highly appreciated. Glad you like the series. Peace and Keep Creating!

[streetsilence]

Graffiti and Street Art is well and Alive!

Thanks for checking out the series. Not sure if you read my thoughts, but I'm glad you said that...the primary purpose is to promote dialogue. That in itself can keep anything alive. I want to know why you think it's alive and what you think in regards to what my thoughts are. That's is why I named the thread... "Graffiti is Dead" or is it? Not bashing it.... I am bashing tags and Bull ****. But if you read my post you will understand what I'm saying.

[Xisthreweyes]

1 and 4 are my favorites, but they all look good. Nice HDR's man.

[wYs]

tagging keeps graffiti alive!

[streetsilence]

Thanks for the feedback. Highly appreciate it. Peace!

[streetsilence]

tagging keeps graffiti alive!

That's the misconception that I'm talking about. Tagging is now the face of graffiti. When did this happen? Why? How did this happen? Just like how the bull **** that you hear on the radio has become the face of hip hop. That Ain't hip hop. Just like that ain't graffiti. There is nothing wrong with street art, I'm not bashing street art. Graffiti is a part of street art. But there is something wrong with people throwing up tags in the name of graffiti. It's two different elements of street art.

[RadAL]

thats why i will always take photos for hobby and not for a job ;)

[flyfisher x]

Neat series....I enjoyed viewing. Good perspectives.

[streetsilence]

thats why i will always take photos for hobby and not for a job ;)

Exactly!

[streetsilence]

Neat series....I enjoyed viewing. Good perspectives.

Thanks for the feedback... Glad you enjoyed it. Peace!

[Ballen Photo]

Neat series, The light and layout makes number one my favorite here by far. Very nice. ;)
-Bruce

[streetsilence]

Neat series, The light and layout makes number one my favorite here by far. Very nice. ;)
-Bruce

Thanks for checking them out. I agree with you on number 1! Peace!

[kosin]

cool looking series
great pp

[marcochi?]

Good composition skills there, and good subject!!!

[streetsilence]

Thanks Kosin and marcochi? Highly appreciate it. Peace! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=133785)

[Ed 718]

I just found this thread but good work on the shots. Tagging is what gives true artists a bad name. I have been involved in master piecing for years and everytime someone finds out I do art they think I am a tagger which I am not. I have numerous friends where the art they do is featured in album covers, magazines, galleries and even TV spots. Street Silence I am not sure where you are at but if you are in Los Angeles and what some really good pictures of graff art let me know and we can meet up.

[ThomGascoigne]

That's the misconception that I'm talking about. Tagging is now the face of graffiti. When did this happen? Why? How did this happen? Just like how the bull **** that you hear on the radio has become the face of hip hop. That Ain't hip hop. Just like that ain't graffiti. There is nothing wrong with street art, I'm not bashing street art. Graffiti is a part of street art. But there is something wrong with people throwing up tags in the name of graffiti. It's two different elements of street art.

I really like flicks 2,4,6. Now I'm a graffiti expert I've been documenting (and doing) it for over 13 years, And I run Australia's largest graffiti website so I know what I'm talking about. I also am the Co-Founder of Stylizm Productions -An Australia Graffiti company.

Graffiti started off as simple tags and then progressed into bigger and brighter pieces and it hit its peak in the late 80's early 90's (worldwide) and since then has gone down hill quite alot.
-You wouldn't have the "art" without the "vandalism"

I use quotation marks as I believe even a crappy tag has artistic merit to it. Alot of people comment when they see me paint " I like the good stuff but I dont like the scribble " -Can't have the good stuff without the scribble simple as that.

Theres new stuff happening now -Street art: Stencils, Wheat Pasting and Mixed medium art on the street, All coming under the name Graffiti. When in-fact it's not. It's street art and thats not graffiti. Closely related but different sub cultures.

To say that throwing up tags in the name of graffiti is wrong shows you dont know what you are talking about. As Tagging is the foundation of Hip Hop Graffiti Art.

Street art is more commercial then graffiti is. Just have a look at the Melbourne art / gallery scene too see prove of this.

What wYs Says: "tagging keeps graffiti alive" Is simple to the point, true and correct.

Peace

[Ed 718]

^^ yes tagging did set the foundation of graff art however master piecing and tagging are on two different levels. I myself starting tagging and bombing before I developed can control. It took me a while to even get to the level I am at now where I can do everything freestyle. Here in Los Angeles the number of legal spots has gone down since the early 90's when I started because of the tagging on the streets. I am 36 now and started in graff around 89 after I moved from New York here. Most of the artist I did paint with have progressed to the level where most of the pieces are now in galleries and or major print ( album covers, magazines ). Thom if you ever come stateside or in California PM me and we can get some good footage and or interviews.

[ThomGascoigne]

^^ yes tagging did set the foundation of graff art however master piecing and tagging are on two different levels. I myself starting tagging and bombing before I developed can control. It took me a while to even get to the level I am at now where I can do everything freestyle. Here in Los Angeles the number of legal spots has gone down since the early 90's when I started because of the tagging on the streets. I am 36 now and started in graff around 89 after I moved from New York here. Most of the artist I did paint with have progressed to the level where most of the pieces are now in galleries and or major print ( album covers, magazines ). Thom if you ever come stateside or in California PM me and we can get some good footage and or interviews.

Thanks Ed! Yes they are two different levels, Here in Australia even the best top writers / Graffiti writing artists still drop the occasion tag. There is a significant difference between a entry level toy tag and a top level stylish burner handstyle.

I'd love to take you up on that offer! All I have to do now is get to the states.. Alas one day I'll make it with my 5d MK II! :lol: Do you ever make it out to Australia? I'd love to offer the same!

[streetsilence]

I really like flicks 2,4,6. Now I'm a graffiti expert I've been documenting (and doing) it for over 13 years, And I run Australia's largest graffiti website so I know what I'm talking about. I also am the Co-Founder of Stylizm Productions -An Australia Graffiti company.

Graffiti started off as simple tags and then progressed into bigger and brighter pieces and it hit its peak in the late 80's early 90's (worldwide) and since then has gone down hill quite alot.
-You wouldn't have the "art" without the "vandalism"

I use quotation marks as I believe even a crappy tag has artistic merit to it. Alot of people comment when they see me paint " I like the good stuff but I dont like the scribble " -Can't have the good stuff without the scribble simple as that.

Theres new stuff happening now -Street art: Stencils, Wheat Pasting and Mixed medium art on the street, All coming under the name Graffiti. When in-fact it's not. It's street art and thats not graffiti. Closely related but different sub cultures.

To say that throwing up tags in the name of graffiti is wrong shows you dont know what you are talking about. As Tagging is the foundation of Hip Hop Graffiti Art.

Street art is more commercial then graffiti is. Just have a look at the Melbourne art / gallery scene too see prove of this.

What wYs Says: "tagging keeps graffiti alive" Is simple to the point, true and correct.

Peace

Thanks for taking time to build on this topic. I'm glad that you've taken the time to read and discuss this topic with an open mind. I am not an expert or even close to an expert on graffiti. Neither do I want to be. I really just found some inspiration from this location and wanted to promote dialogue amongst the art community. My take on graffiti has been the same for as long as I can remember. Graffiti is the essence of true self expression and an art form that has been criticized, miss understood and sometimes misused. My take on this particular topic was the tag part of street art. But when I mean tag, I'm taking in the perspective of what I see in LA. Most street tag that I see in LA is not by graffiti heads. It's by tag gangs that write there name without any style or means to connecting the art form of tag to graffiti. This is what I 'm talking about. The so called taggers that write in the name of graffiti. In the name of this crew that crew, in the name of where this crew is from. In the name of, " I don't know the history of graffiti, but I want to tag because I want to represent this or that". That is what I'm talking about. I know the difference between graffiti heads that tag and youngsters that write there name without any history of graffiti behind it. These are the same cats that give Graffiti a bad name. Just like you stated above, "There is a significant difference between a entry level toy tag and a top level stylish burner handstyle". This difference is what separates the art from Graffiti. This is exactly what I'm saying.

Street art is well alive, and I know that. I appreciate the art form to the 3rd degree. And to touch on the over saturation and commercialism. It has been commercialized to an extent, but just like hip hop there are cats griding everyday to keep it in it's truest form. And these are the cats that know and appreciate the history for what it's worth. Peace and Keep Creating!

[streetsilence]

I just found this thread but good work on the shots. Tagging is what gives true artists a bad name. I have been involved in master piecing for years and everytime someone finds out I do art they think I am a tagger which I am not. I have numerous friends where the art they do is featured in album covers, magazines, galleries and even TV spots. Street Silence I am not sure where you are at but if you are in Los Angeles and what some really good pictures of graff art let me know and we can meet up.

Thanks for commenting on this topic. I know what you mean by that. Read my reply above to understand exactly what I'm saying.

I'm definitely interested in finding some ridiculous street art. I'm in the Long Beach area. Peace!

[Ed 718]

^^ I'm South Gate so we are near each other

[ThomGascoigne]

Thanks for taking time to build on this topic. I'm glad that you've taken the time to read and discuss this topic with an open mind. I am not an expert or even close to an expert on graffiti. Neither do I want to be. I really just found some inspiration from this location and wanted to promote dialogue amongst the art community. My take on graffiti has been the same for as long as I can remember. Graffiti is the essence of true self expression and an art form that has been criticized, miss understood and sometimes misused. My take on this particular topic was the tag part of street art. But when I mean tag, I'm taking in the perspective of what I see in LA. Most street tag that I see in LA is not by graffiti heads. It's by tag gangs that write there name without any style or means to connecting the art form of tag to graffiti. This is what I 'm talking about. The so called taggers that write in the name of graffiti. In the name of this crew that crew, in the name of where this crew is from. In the name of, " I don't know the history of graffiti, but I want to tag because I want to represent this or that". That is what I'm talking about. I know the difference between graffiti heads that tag and youngsters that write there name without any history of graffiti behind it. These are the same cats that give Graffiti a bad name. Just like you stated above, "There is a significant difference between a entry level toy tag and a top level stylish burner handstyle". This difference is what separates the art from Graffiti. This is exactly what I'm saying.

Street art is well alive, and I know that. I appreciate the art form to the 3rd degree. And to touch on the over saturation and commercialism. It has been commercialized to an extent, but just like hip hop there are cats griding everyday to keep it in it's truest form. And these are the cats that know and appreciate the history for what it's worth. Peace and Keep Creating!

Cheers man. Yeah tagbangers are pretty wak but even though they don't do graffiti for what I would consider the "right" reasons they are still going up against the system to get their message across, They are being political without really knowing it. And thats the whole idea behind graffiti, It's about saying " here I am, I exist too " They don't have the budgets of Coca-Cola to advertise so they do it the way they know how.

[lennyp06]

I really like them all, and they maybe a bit repetitive, but I think that it works for this story sequence.

Just out of curiosity what did you use on theses shots?

[streetsilence]

Cheers man. Yeah tagbangers are pretty wak but even though they don't do graffiti for what I would consider the "right" reasons they are still going up against the system to get their message across, They are being political without really knowing it. And thats the whole idea behind graffiti, It's about saying " here I am, I exist too " They don't have the budgets of Coca-Cola to advertise so they do it the way they know how.

Your right! Really... thanks for the perspective. They are using the can as a voice, wheater they know it or not, it is a form of graffiti. I just wish they would do some research and understand the history behind it. I think they would definitely respect the art form a lot more, and maybe even try to progress as artist. Thanks for the dialogue! Peace and Keep Creating!

[streetsilence]

I really like them all, and they maybe a bit repetitive, but I think that it works for this story sequence.

Just out of curiosity what did you use on theses shots?


Thank you for checking out the thread and this series. Highly appreciated. Glad you like it. I used my Canon 400d, Kit lens (18-55mm), and processed in Photomatix then Lightroom. Peace!