Graffiti challenges the notion of what is beautiful. It also shines a light on who gets to be angry in our culture as well as who and what are considered threats.
The bias in the original Twitter thread you read isn't unacknowledged - in fact, I think it's the whole point. To me the thread seems intended to be an easy entry point to or rebrand of a (now much-mocked) meme that encapsulates Christofascist/Dark Enlightenment thinking: "reject modernity, embrace tradition." The contrast isn't merely between "Eurocentric aesthetics" and modernism but also between idealized whiteness/masculinity and a more inclusive worldview. It isn't just the Twitter thread that tells me this, either - the author has made it clear in past writings that he shares the neo-reactionary obsession with a divinely ordained monarchy. Finally, this is perhaps circumstantial evidence, but he also uses the kind of Greco-Roman bust profile picture that on Twitter one sees next to profile pictures of Crusaders, MAGA Pepes, and anime girls dressed as Nazis - it's a signifier of his influences. In that context, I can only see the thread as an explication of a specific aspect of fascist ideology and an advertisement for future indoctrination.
That bridge photo popped up in my twitter feed last week and I spent a while looking at it trying to figure out which was supposed to be the 'non beautiful' one and then I had flashbacks to White Dudes™ in art school and kept on scrolling. Kudos to you for writing through it.
Also, I love that someone loves the illegible underpass tags.
What a magnificent ode to graffiti and to the refusal to be silenced in the face of injustices that spark long term efforts and movements (Land Back, Black Lives Matter). As a response to such pervasive assaults that impact the smallest aspects of everyday life, “I was/am here” is a revolutionary voice.
I appreciate and mostly agree with your idealistic vision. But it also comes from privilege. You have clearly never lived in the ghetto. You have never found your car scribed all over. Or your garage tagged up. Unfortunately lots of tagging and graffiti does occupy private, spiritual and natural space. Yes it may be saying: "Here I am, acknowledge me!" But it also often stands for "turf" or "tribe" marking, perpetuating violence, toxic masculinity, disrespect of property, personal achievement and just about everything and anything that can be disrespected for the sake of bad ass-ness or one upping your peers, etc. It is another complex layer of society that can be viewed in many different ways.
I always appreciate when someone explains WHY they think something is good, as opposed to just saying that it IS good. Sometimes I find myself enjoying that thing too, even if I hadn't before.
Your writing resonates very well with my sensibilities regarding graffiti! I also enjoy the sight of graffiti, especially if it's done well (I know, perfectly subjective), and, as a photographer, I'm constantly framing what I consider the best cropping of the work in my mind's eye, as I drive by. It's too bad when a favorite one gets painted over, but at least someone is presented with a freshly-gessoed canvas! I have a favorite mural on Powell, painted years ago by my friend Joe Cotter, and which still looks magnificent. I am heartened that no one has tagged his piece, as Joe died a few years ago. Maybe the word got around, and they're leaving it alone out of respect.
I left a comment on this article taking issue with the author's attempt to aggrandize graffiti as art. I said that in my world it's called "vandalism" and I believe condoning, and even promoting it, undermines respect for the law.
My post contained neither profanity nor the expression of personal animus towards anyone, yet it has been removed, presumably by the author of this column. One wonders how many other comments that may have taken issue with, or were otherwise deemed critical of the author's viewpoint have also been "erased?"
I was under the impression that the genesis of Substack was the desire to promote open and uncensored discussion...apparently not. I wonder how long it will take this comment to be similarly "cancelled?"
Wasn't always but one day while riding my motorcycle on the back road behind the farms I noticed on one of the seemingly abandoned yet not really abandoned tin shacks some graffiti words. I thought someone came way back here to mark that tin shack.
By the time I got to the bridge to get back on the main road I noticed the same tag.
Now a few years later my eye is tuned to spot like graffiti wherever I travel.
I can compare from memory and rank the artwork, city to city state to state. This ranking is only in my head; right now; But someday....
The bias in the original Twitter thread you read isn't unacknowledged - in fact, I think it's the whole point. To me the thread seems intended to be an easy entry point to or rebrand of a (now much-mocked) meme that encapsulates Christofascist/Dark Enlightenment thinking: "reject modernity, embrace tradition." The contrast isn't merely between "Eurocentric aesthetics" and modernism but also between idealized whiteness/masculinity and a more inclusive worldview. It isn't just the Twitter thread that tells me this, either - the author has made it clear in past writings that he shares the neo-reactionary obsession with a divinely ordained monarchy. Finally, this is perhaps circumstantial evidence, but he also uses the kind of Greco-Roman bust profile picture that on Twitter one sees next to profile pictures of Crusaders, MAGA Pepes, and anime girls dressed as Nazis - it's a signifier of his influences. In that context, I can only see the thread as an explication of a specific aspect of fascist ideology and an advertisement for future indoctrination.
That bridge photo popped up in my twitter feed last week and I spent a while looking at it trying to figure out which was supposed to be the 'non beautiful' one and then I had flashbacks to White Dudes™ in art school and kept on scrolling. Kudos to you for writing through it.
Also, I love that someone loves the illegible underpass tags.
What a magnificent ode to graffiti and to the refusal to be silenced in the face of injustices that spark long term efforts and movements (Land Back, Black Lives Matter). As a response to such pervasive assaults that impact the smallest aspects of everyday life, “I was/am here” is a revolutionary voice.
I appreciate and mostly agree with your idealistic vision. But it also comes from privilege. You have clearly never lived in the ghetto. You have never found your car scribed all over. Or your garage tagged up. Unfortunately lots of tagging and graffiti does occupy private, spiritual and natural space. Yes it may be saying: "Here I am, acknowledge me!" But it also often stands for "turf" or "tribe" marking, perpetuating violence, toxic masculinity, disrespect of property, personal achievement and just about everything and anything that can be disrespected for the sake of bad ass-ness or one upping your peers, etc. It is another complex layer of society that can be viewed in many different ways.
i really needed this today. the affirmation of it and the stretching/learning of it. thank you!
I always appreciate when someone explains WHY they think something is good, as opposed to just saying that it IS good. Sometimes I find myself enjoying that thing too, even if I hadn't before.
Your writing resonates very well with my sensibilities regarding graffiti! I also enjoy the sight of graffiti, especially if it's done well (I know, perfectly subjective), and, as a photographer, I'm constantly framing what I consider the best cropping of the work in my mind's eye, as I drive by. It's too bad when a favorite one gets painted over, but at least someone is presented with a freshly-gessoed canvas! I have a favorite mural on Powell, painted years ago by my friend Joe Cotter, and which still looks magnificent. I am heartened that no one has tagged his piece, as Joe died a few years ago. Maybe the word got around, and they're leaving it alone out of respect.
I left a comment on this article taking issue with the author's attempt to aggrandize graffiti as art. I said that in my world it's called "vandalism" and I believe condoning, and even promoting it, undermines respect for the law.
My post contained neither profanity nor the expression of personal animus towards anyone, yet it has been removed, presumably by the author of this column. One wonders how many other comments that may have taken issue with, or were otherwise deemed critical of the author's viewpoint have also been "erased?"
I was under the impression that the genesis of Substack was the desire to promote open and uncensored discussion...apparently not. I wonder how long it will take this comment to be similarly "cancelled?"
Wow, I am also a selected graffiti connoisseur.
Wasn't always but one day while riding my motorcycle on the back road behind the farms I noticed on one of the seemingly abandoned yet not really abandoned tin shacks some graffiti words. I thought someone came way back here to mark that tin shack.
By the time I got to the bridge to get back on the main road I noticed the same tag.
Now a few years later my eye is tuned to spot like graffiti wherever I travel.
I can compare from memory and rank the artwork, city to city state to state. This ranking is only in my head; right now; But someday....