Published Under my byline MY CONCERNS in Deccan Chronicle
(Visakhapatnam Edition) dated 16.06.2004
There can be no doubt that graffiti is a crime and an act of vandalism. It lowers property value and scares away respectable people from neighborhoods. Cleaning graffiti is not only hard work but also expensive since it can damage surfaces. Graffiti is a symbolic statement of tacky youthful rebellion and a desire to show that there are things that cannot be controlled, thus arousing fear psychosis in people.
Humans react consciously and unconsciously to the area in which they live and work. Natural and man made environments exert a powerful effect on people’s feelings, behavior, general health issues and productivity. Litter, graffiti and other such factors can contribute to the development of sub optimal environment, which is as detrimental as other forms of environmental hazards. Family, community, schools, colleges and other social organizations have a very important role to play in this war against graffiti. Children and others who show these tendencies should be diverted into more constructive activities!
(Visakhapatnam Edition) dated 16.06.2004
A stone face high on the majestic
Kailasagiri range had been desecrated by graffiti, spoiling the pristine
natural beauty of this serene guardian of Visakhapatnam. This is not a lone
incident – temples, public gardens and all tourist spots bear mute witness to
this destructive immature action of humans. Graffiti on the walls of the
elegant Andhra University was an eye sore until it was cleaned up by the
concerted efforts of authorities, who not only returned its original
magnificence but are also endeavoring to prevent further vandalism by unsocial
elements. Graffiti has become an indelible part of community living, with
defacement of public property such as trains, furniture in educational
institutions, monuments and other public places.
Graffiti is by
no means a modern phenomena; the oldest graffiti, “ I am very impressed by
Pharaoh Djoser’s pyramid,” was engraved 3500 years ago by an ancient tourist
near the Sakkara pyramid.
Graffiti, a crude drawing or inscription on any hard surface, may be classified into two categories – public and latrinalia. Public graffiti are the initials, names and code names that are written, carved or spray painted on the exteriors of buildings, trees, fences, billboards and so on. These again are of three types – gang graffiti used by groups to mark territory; tagging used to gain fame and recognition and pieces (abbreviated form of masterpieces), which are considered to be artistic expressions for example the religious icons painted on walls. Latrinalia graffiti usually have a sexual connotation and are found on the walls and doors of public utilities.
Graffiti constitutes an umbrella term for a variety of thematically (sexuality, politics, relations, school, religion and business) and formally very different manifestations. They are all tied together by the fact that they are all visually perceptible, projected onto surfaces of private or public property by groups or individuals. They are typically unasked for and often done anonymously. They may be simply scrawled with impermanent material like chalk or coal or designed, planned and executed with difficult to remove paints.
Graffiti, a crude drawing or inscription on any hard surface, may be classified into two categories – public and latrinalia. Public graffiti are the initials, names and code names that are written, carved or spray painted on the exteriors of buildings, trees, fences, billboards and so on. These again are of three types – gang graffiti used by groups to mark territory; tagging used to gain fame and recognition and pieces (abbreviated form of masterpieces), which are considered to be artistic expressions for example the religious icons painted on walls. Latrinalia graffiti usually have a sexual connotation and are found on the walls and doors of public utilities.
Graffiti constitutes an umbrella term for a variety of thematically (sexuality, politics, relations, school, religion and business) and formally very different manifestations. They are all tied together by the fact that they are all visually perceptible, projected onto surfaces of private or public property by groups or individuals. They are typically unasked for and often done anonymously. They may be simply scrawled with impermanent material like chalk or coal or designed, planned and executed with difficult to remove paints.
Graffiti is not art or literature in the
conventional sense of the term but it is an expression of people’s inner
feelings and therefore just as expressive as and even rawer than polished works
of art though some refer to it as art! There is a lot of psychology behind the
image and the message so graffiti has been used as a form of psychotherapy.
Psychologists in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Chicago encourage patients to write
graffiti on the walls to promote communication between patients and therapists
since graffiti give diagnostic insights and clues. Graffiti is the subject of
intense study by several disciplines notably archaeology, sociology,
environmental psychology, criminology, fine arts, anthropology and others.
However, the negative societal connotation cannot be overlooked.
There can be no doubt that graffiti is a crime and an act of vandalism. It lowers property value and scares away respectable people from neighborhoods. Cleaning graffiti is not only hard work but also expensive since it can damage surfaces. Graffiti is a symbolic statement of tacky youthful rebellion and a desire to show that there are things that cannot be controlled, thus arousing fear psychosis in people.
Humans react consciously and unconsciously to the area in which they live and work. Natural and man made environments exert a powerful effect on people’s feelings, behavior, general health issues and productivity. Litter, graffiti and other such factors can contribute to the development of sub optimal environment, which is as detrimental as other forms of environmental hazards. Family, community, schools, colleges and other social organizations have a very important role to play in this war against graffiti. Children and others who show these tendencies should be diverted into more constructive activities!
- Published in Deccan Chronicle (Visakhapatnam Edition) dated 16.06.2004
