Monday, March 24, 2014

Is There An Expert In The House?

Thinking about my masterpiece project and what its about I come across the question on who or what is considered an expert in such a very open subject like Street Art and Graffiti. But I've come to learn in the Graffiti world the expert is the artist. You don't have to be a huge world famous artist to be an expert in Graffiti, as long as you have a great can control method, a quick hand for fast pace work, and the will and drive to write where ever seems relevant for you and your reputation status to be expressed. It's pretty simple to become a Graffiti expert but its another story to become a real "Writer". "Writing" is what Graffiti is mainly known for; tagging, bombing, writing, getting up, all these terms basically mean getting out and putting yourself or your "name" out there into the world for everyone to see and know who you are. The reason why I say anyone can become an expert in Graffiti but its a different story to becoming an expert in writing is because you need to have experience in writing to become an expert. You have to have done the dirty work; hopping fences, scaling walls, hanging from bridges/billboards, just going the distance to put yourself out there. I know artists who will go the distance and I know those who stray to the side and watch. Writing is illegal but it has an ongoing itch that seems to never be scratched. The more and more you go out running with a can wedged between your jeans and boxers or jacket pocket trying to cover that can from being seen and having to run or hide when you suspect "The Man" is around. It sends you a huge dose of adrenaline that leaves a rush you can't find doing anything else, it feels so good doing something that seems so wrong to most but not to yourself. No one will ever understand the expertise of Graffiti. The only way to find out is going out and trying it. (Which I don't recommend you try) But what I do recommend is going around your community and getting to know your Graffiti underworld. Every city or town has one some where and once it's found, admire it and focus on it. Read the Graffiti and try to understand what the artist is conveying, the answer may surprise you.

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