ART: “is the product or process of deliberately arranging items (often with symbolic significance) in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression”
GRAFFITI: “is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is any type of public markings that may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings”
“In most countries, marking or painting property without the property owner's consent is considered defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime. Sometimes graffiti expresses social and political messages and a whole genre of artistic expression is based upon spray paint graffiti styles. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions; to others it is merely vandalism.”
(Definitions and quotes from Wikipedia)
Where would we draw the line between Art and Graffiti, or rather where would these two meet?
I’ve been wanting to start this project for a long time now. Since moving to the city in 2006 and even before then I’ve seen so many painted walls, bridges, sign posts and pavements in the city of Johannesburg, some indeed are acts of vandalism others are forms of street art or advertisements on comissioned walls scattered around the city. I’ve become fascinated by this and have been wanting to document them for my own personal photo collection, and share for others what I see. A large part of this may very likely be merely photos of illegal public graffiti, thugs or gangs marking their terriroty by tagging and the defacement of this beautiful country. However, graffiti is a temporary art form, and is often cleaned up, removed and painted over. In the cases where this is true, art is lost in memory, but retained in photography and although I am not a professional photographer, I really do hope to capture some of the best.
I was recently inspired by the movie/documentary called Exit through the gift shop. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in this kind of street art and modern pop culture.
The best way to start is with google, of course. But I’ll soon be hitting the streets with my camera in hand and will be posting my findings soon thereafter.
