Chicago Graffiti

© Christine Till... more

by Alexandra Till

Title

Chicago Graffiti

Artist

Alexandra Till

Medium

Photograph - Photographs - Prints - Digital Images - Cards - Posters - Photo-calendars - Photo Art

Description

© Christine Till
Graffiti art, a tradition which dates back to the Stone Age, has been found in ancient Roman ruins, in the remains of the Mayan city of Tikal in Central America, on rocks in Spain dating to the 16th century, and in medieval English churches. It is an art form unique to large urban areas and part of the fabric of cities from New York to Berlin, and of course, Chicago. Some might consider it an eyesore, or question whether it's really art, but it's hard to argue the talent on display in many of the works.

Although uninvited and unauthorized graffiti is vandalism, scars the community, hurts property, and is seen as urban decay, local street art is often perceived as a sign of a neighborhood's hip quotient, can act as the true voice of a community and often reflects triumphs, turbulence, or obstacles that are unique to a specific place and time. They tell a cultural story about the transition of the neighborhood and its current gentrification clashes. Exploring this type of art is also one of the most vivid ways to understand the dialogue of what's happening in a community.

Street Art is a rapidly developing art form whose value is highly contested and reviled by many authorities while also subject to protection, sometimes within the same jurisdiction. Of course art is largely in the eye of the beholder, but some of the quality we see on a spray-can-painted wall is top-notch. The artist do some amazing work - incredibly detailed, whimsical and colorful pieces, really beautiful and interesting works of art.

Uploaded

April 26th, 2013