Graffiti and Urban Space

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Derived from the Italian graffiare which means to scratch, graffiti can be considered to have different definitions or meaning depending on the time frame in which we study it. Some consider the marks left in caves many centuries ago as graffiti. Graffiti as a whole is said to be any form of marks left on a wall (writing, drawing, painting…) and which is essentially done in a public space. Paint, and more precisely spray paint, is the most used material for modern graffiti. In this paper we will be studying the concepts of subcultures and urban space linked to the main topic of graffiti. A subculture can be defined as a cultural group within a larger culture, often having different beliefs or interests than those of the larger culture (Oxford Dictionary of Sociology). Urban space refers to any public open space, for example parks, streets and plazas. Although urban spaces are generally open to public some may be private in which case the owner has the right to do as he wishes. Throughout this paper we will attempt to answer the question; what can the study of young people’s everyday cultures bring to an understanding of education and learning? In order to do this we will start by studying part of the history of graffiti and how it became part of our everyday culture in today’s society. We will then develop on the emergence of a graffiti subculture. Finally we will attempt to link this with education and learning to understand the various influences coming from such a subculture. In this part we will study the essential history of Modern graffiti, such as where it originated from, the different motivations and uses that the artists had at the time. There are still debates as to where graffiti really originated from; some believe it to be from Philadelphia, others from New York City (Longo 1). Much evidence would prove that Philadelphia is in fact the birth place

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