Pigeon Magazine

Graffiti Voice

by Chris Wojcicki

Graffiti Voice

by Chris Wojcicki

Throughout Europe neighborhoods have a different take on it all. Artists tag nearly every easily reachable area possible, while simultaneously calling out most business’ entryway shutters. Acting directly or indirectly as an advertisement for that business and for the artist(s) that did it. Although still treated, at times, as a crime, the neighborhoods embrace the artists. Holding community days where artists are called up to create what they like. Either welcoming onlookers or passing a message on.

Graffiti is the voice of a neighborhood. It screams what it needs when you read it or look closely enough. It can be the landmark or entryway, or it can be a cry for help. How it is viewed is up for grabs, but at least most people can allow it as a part of their day.

A study performed by St. Jean’s Baptist High School in Manhattan, New York recently did a poll finding that 27% of people look fondly on graffiti and street art. Another 67% say that they have mixed opinions, but do not feel that the art is criminally offensive or punishable.

The thing about graffiti or street art is that it is a voice for the people. Art at its core is a reaction to the world around, and graffiti is a tool that screams the needs of a community. Driving down the roads of Skid-Row in Los Angeles you’ll certainly see some wild things written across just about everything. From “Heroin” to “ganggang” or quite simply scribed “Lou’s stuff.” If you venture through the neighborhood of North Beach in San Francisco you’re more likely to see murals of Spider-Man.

Would you label a cross, yes that kind of cross, posted in someone's yard as graffiti? It conveys a message to onlookers and passersby and we think, that by definition, it is considered graffiti. We didn't ask to see that or to have that message thrown at us. However it is something that people do not punish or argue against, yet the argument when it comes to a tag or a message scrawled in pain that reads, "HOPE," is considered criminal. Think about that as you walk down any street in nearly any city throughout the world to find spray painted lettering, tags, artwork, or murals canvassed across the walls, road, sidewalk, and even the lampposts that are available for painting. In those situations, the chances are that you’ve imagined either a dimly lit alley scrawled with amorphous letterings or perhaps you’ve thought of a hall of colorful tags and murals. Either way your mind is just as divided as the majority, but not quite so when it comes to a christian religious symbol.