Street art
Street Art is the genre of art that occurs environmentally on visible property. The term stems from a grass roots perspective that art has a right to appear in any and all physical settings. Types of street art ranges in medium and format, though they all share a few characteristics in common.
- Non-commercial - most artwork is created as a personal message to the public.
- Permanence - mediums and methods used so that the art work can endure weather, wear, and sometimes intentional removal attempts.
Sometimes Street Art is referred to as Graffiti. Though this term is indistinguishable to some artists, others consider it a derision toward the idea that Street Art is unwelcome and/or illegal. Though there are some occurances that connote a negative message such as hate and/gang types. There are also positive forms of street art Types include: Tagging, Gang, Communicative, Hate, Art
Tagging
“TAGGER” graffiti is the most prevalent type in Portland. 80-85% of all graffiti in Portland fits this description. It may be simple line-letters, or elaborate, colorful designs, “pieces” or “throw-ups”. Most of the TAGGERs arrested in Portland ARE NOT juveniles (under 18 years of age)…the median age for TAGGERS in Portland is 20 years of age. Taggers may travel or associate with a “crew” whose members may all use one tag plus their own “moniker”, and hang out together…the photo shows a “roll call” of taggers around the monikers of “TAHOE” and “PESTOE”. Some taggers aspire to be recognized for their “ART”…larger, showier ”pieces”…that may include a moniker in the colorful design. [1]
Communicative
COMMUNICATIVE graffiti accounts for approximately 1.5% of all graffiti reported in Portland. This number may be higher in election years. Much of this graffiti is seen on City property, like STOP signs, because the vandal only has to write one or two words under STOP to get his message across.[2] Art