GRAFFITI:
A Hidden Expression of Culture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Graffiti is a much misunderstood form of art.  It is not art or literature in the conventional
sense of the terms, but it is an expression of people's inner feelings, and are therefore just as
expressive, and even more raw, than polished works of art.  Graffiti is created by ordinary people, not just scholars or professional artists, which means that it often consists more of everyday thoughts and ideas which can relate to everyone, if everyone would take the chance to try and understand the meaning behind the writing on the wall.
 

    There are two prevalent types of graffiti: public graffiti, which we've all seen on buildings, billboards, subways, etc., and "latrinalia," or bathroom graffiti.  There is a lot of psychology behind these images and messages.  Graffiti has actually been used as a form of psychotherapy.  Psychiatrists at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chicago encourage patients to write graffiti on the walls to promote communication between patients and therapists.  They often   give diagnostic insights and clues about ways of relating to patients.
 

    I'm not saying that all graffiti is good; I just think that people rarely take the time to look deeper into things that have negative societal connotations.  Perhaps the presence of graffiti simply means that we are becoming more artistic, even to the point that we are running out of places to put our art.  And what better place to put art than a drab, empty wall?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 public graffiti: leaving a mark
 
learn about latrinalia!!
 
see graffiti works
 
  other links