Understanding explanations and meanings behind graffiti and whether it links to crime.
Looking at historical context as well connections to signs and symbols to what graffiti displays.
, WHAT IS GRAFFITI?
❖Spray-painting, tagging or ‘bombing’, stencilling (in) mostly u
public space(s) – using blending, shading and other techniqu
stylise letters, images and shapes
❖Associated (from late 1970s/80s) with hip-hop (sub)culture: 1
the 5 elements of hip hop, alongside: MCing, DJing, breakdan
and knowledge of the genre/movement
❖A creative display and showcasing of individual style(s), origin
and flair that can also be competitive: erasing/taking over oth
graffiti (Castleman, 1984; Snyder, 2006; Ferrell, 1993)
, Graffiti: plural form of the Latin word
‘graffito’ (=scribble), a variation on the
Greek ‘graphein’ (to write, etch, draw,
write)
WHAT IS
GRAFFITI?: A A popular form of ‘writing in public space
in Roman times: e.g. ancient wall
LONGER inscriptions in the ruins of Pompeii
HISTORY
But also in Mesopotamia (today’s Iraq) an
Europe (Lascaux in France) in the form of
rock art/paintings in caves/stone walls
, (WHY) IS GRAFFITI A ‘CRIME’?
S.1 Criminal Damage Act 1971
“A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages an
property belonging to another intending to destroy or dama
any such property or being reckless as to whether any such
property would be destroyed or damaged shall be guilty of
offence”
…BUT…
❖Painting on a wall is not illegal in and of itself – but it is a ‘c
when it is unsanctioned (e.g. by the local Council)
, (WHY) IS GRAFFITI A ‘CRIME’?
❖Painting on a wall is not illegal in and of itself : only a crime wh
is unsanctioned!
❖Marking/painting is considered to be damage, even where it
improves the appearance of a property!
❖A mark of disorder & incivility in/ disrespect for public space:
aesthetically/culturally “out of place” and politically “out of ord
(Fatsis, 2021: esp. 38-40)
❖Aesthetic judgements (of/by whom?) influencing legal judgem
(or is it the other way around?)
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