Week 0: Graffiti - Artists or Vandals?

When we glance out the window as we travel along a highway, we often catch sight of vibrant, provocative art on the walls and barriers. These striking graffiti pieces, with their detailed lettering and unique styles, speak volumes about the socio-political climate in which they were created. 

Hey people! My name is Laasya Chandrapaty and I’m a senior at BASIS Independent Fremont. I chose my senior project topic on a topic I have never explored before, graffiti. I’m so excited to take you along my journey researching the socioeconomic impacts of graffiti, the punk movement, and hip-hop culture. 

To gain a deeper understanding of graffiti’s evolution, I plan to travel through the Bay Area, exploring the graffiti art along the BART line and in cities including San Francisco and Oakland. Through photographs and artist portfolios, I aim to showcase the diversity of styles of graffiti artists and the impact of historical events, economic conditions, punk ideologies, and hip-hop culture on their work. I hope to gain insight into the ongoing influence of sociological and political unrest and economic instability on artistic expression. Graffiti is a reminder of how powerful art is. It gives artists freedom and challenges the status quo, allowing people to envision a more equal society. 

So why do graffiti pieces appear both similar and unique? What drives people to use spray cans, markers, and other materials to leave their mark on the urban landscape? Why are there random words that aren’t even in the dictionary spray painted on walls? To find out the answers to these questions and more, check back weekly for blog updates!