Graffiti is a public form of artistic expression that is largely misunderstood resulting in graffiti being viewed as meaningless and destructive. Despite large distain for graffiti, many still acknowledge and appreciate the messages and work of graffiti artists. Graffiti’s modern beginnings are rooted in social protest and rebellion in response to discrimination and the struggles of city living as well as lack of access to museums and art institutions (“Graffiti: History, Purpose, Types”). Today, many artists and everyday people continue to use graffiti as forms of empowerment, reclamation, and resistance (“Graffiti: History, Purpose, Types.”). Many people also utilize graffiti as an outlet or simply as a means to have fun. Since graffiti is illegal in most cases, and has a loud, visible, and bold nature, it draws attention and sends a message to the masses in ways that other forms of expression cannot. For these reasons, graffiti has become seemingly popular and continues to be so.
The major graffiti movement is said to have begun in 1965 with Darryl “Cornbread” McCray who was a 12-year-old housed at Philadelphia’s Youth Development Center (YDC) (“A History of Graffiti - the 60's and 70's”). McCray loved cornbread and was referred to as such. He loved this name greatly and felt so compelled to share it with others that he covered nearly every surface of the YDC in. Upon being released, he continued his work around Philly. Cornbread’s tag inspired others and around the same time in New York, a large and parallel graffiti movement made itself apparent with artwork sprawling across subway trains (“A History of Graffiti - the 60's and 70's”). The graffiti movement eventually moved and spanned across the nation and globe, extending its roots to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s post-industrial state became the perfect place for graffiti with its many abandoned buildings, mills, and open highways. The graffiti movement in Pittsburgh soon flourished, creating many popular graffiti artists from the area (Newton).
One of these local Pittsburgh artists, Baron Batch, created many of his trademark murals and artwork around the city after leaving the Steelers in 2013 (Kovash). Baron instinctively tagged encouraging messages along the Three Rivers Heritage trail despite knowing what he was doing was illegal. Eventually, in 2016, Baron was arrested and faced $30,000 in fines and legal fees for his work in several areas. Although Baron took responsibility, he stated in an interview with 90.5 WESA, a Pittsburgh broadcasting station, that he does not regret facing all of the criticism because it started conversations about the subject of public art (Kovash). It also led to a partnership with the nonprofit, Friends of the Riverfront, to create Color Park, a publicly sanctioned space for graffiti in Pittsburgh’s South Side that was created to benefit all.
When you first approach the outskirts of Color Park, the area appears industrial and run down, but upon entering the park there is an entirely new vibrancy and sense of space. Almost every inch of the park and beyond is filled with artwork and messages in a significant extent of pigments. This is so much so that one almost forgets the industrial space initially walked through to get to the park. There is no limit to what graffiti you will find or what messages are expressed. These vary from political statements, representations of one’s emotions or experiences, pop culture, fun artwork, and so much more. One common theme of artwork at Color Park are all things Pittsburgh: memorials for Mac Miller, local colleges, Pittsburgh sports, and the common “412”. The astounding city skyline, seen from almost any point in the park, is surely inspiration for this large community. Though, seeing the many different forms of expression from others is inspirational in itself. The meta-art continually created and layered with each passing day leaves many stories to be seen, heard, and told.
Although there are many reasons people may partake in graffiti, a common theme is simply wanting to express oneself. Not too long ago, personal computers, phones, and having almost constant internet access did not exist. Many young people spent their time on the streets and created social movements and means of expression through graffiti (Krakhofer). This likely created a feeling of freedom and rebellion that has continued into today. Graffiti is also a more affordable way to get a message to the masses for many people. Still, it is common for many to view graffiti as vandalism, a plague that has rapidly spread through cities and throughout the world. In some instances, the negative views towards graffiti are earned when this art form is taken advantage of to create offensive displays. Though, some completely disagree with graffiti in general due to the fact that it is defined as, and mainly committed, without permission and on another person’s property (Krakhofer). This lack of permission is upsetting for many when it occurs on their own personal property, and because graffiti is expensive to clean up.
With continued arguments on whether graffiti is free artistic expression or vandalism, a middle ground needed established. Color Park has since become a sanctioned space for graffiti, so anyone and everyone can enjoy partaking in this form of art and expression without getting in trouble with the law. Although some graffiti has moved to indoor art installations and mainstream galleries, Batch has surely recognized the benefits of having this open, outdoor, and public space. The creation of this lived space is relevant to Edward Soja’s ideas of urban space. Soja sees firstspace as the physical and built environment and secondspace as how the space is conceived within individual minds. Thirdspace is a combination of first and second space to create a lived space, a space that is both real and imagined (Ryan). It is the life we live in as individuals based on our individual experiences and our experience with a space as a whole. Without having the physical sanctioned space of Color Park that we are able to conceive, we take away from the lived experience of graffiti art that was first established on the streets both by and for the people. Baron Batch’s creation allows for a space that is in full control of the individual through allowing individual experiences to exist both freely and openly.
At Color Park, graffiti art can still occur on the “streets”, by anyone and everyone, without completely separating it from its history. It is a space to leave a shared mark on the world through creating whatever you want, whether that is purely for yourself or with the purpose of your creation being seen by others. Although many go to Color Park to actively participate in the graffiti, just experiencing the mere thoughts and work of others is reason enough for its existence. Graffiti has exemplified the importance of accessibility and inclusion in relation to art throughout history and the significance of graffiti remains in neighborhoods for many. Color Park is an important means for the artform and free expression to continue in a physical, public, and sanctioned space that is both by and for the people.
Works Cited
“A History of Graffiti - the 60's and 70's.” A History of Graffiti - The 60's and 70's, Spray Planet, 16 Aug. 2018, www.sprayplanet.com/blogs/news/a-history-of-graffiti-the-60s-and-70s.
“Graffiti: History, Purpose, Types.” Journey Forever, http://journeyforevermag.com/typesofgraffiti.
Kovash, Sarah. “One Year and $30k Later, Does Baron Batch Regret Graffiti Charges? 'Absolutely Not'.” 90.5 WESA, 3 Aug. 2017, www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2017-08-03/one-year-and-30k-later-does-baron-batch-regret-graffiti-charges-absolutely-not.
Krakhofer, Nikita. “Why Do People Do Graffiti?” Weave News, 21 July 2022, www.weavenews.org/stories/2022/7/21/why-do-people-do-graffiti#:~:text=According%20to%20Art%20Journal%2C%20%E2%80%9Cthere,form.%E2%80%9D%20However%2C%20that%20is.
Newton, Matthew. “Writers' Bloc.” Pittsburgh City Paper, 24 Nov. 2005, www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/writers-bloc/Content?oid=1337720.
Ryan, Elise. “Space and Place”. Secret Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh. 9 Sep. 2022. Class Lecture.