my multiple endeavors in manhattan brought forth a familiarity to the streets and the artists. there were particular 'tags' that i repeatedly saw in certain neighborhoods. i have become a student of the streets and through observance and intent i have learned a little bit about a 'taggers turf' and why certain styles of graffiti belong in their respective neighborhoods. political muralists, advocacy graffiti-artists, reverse graffiti, taggers, bombers, vandals, or delinquents; they all provide a part of the identity to the streets, and they all provide for the definition of spray-can tactics.
there are innumerable layers of paint on the bricks of our cities just as there are countless elements that define just what graffiti-art is. i suppose graffiti is similarly as subjective as other artistic mediums--and that graffiti is not, cannot be, and will never be an autonomous practice. there is a motive for the artist, an intention, a story, a feeling, an emotion, a memory, an argument, a statement, questions, or representations that are causes for the paint on the walls with hopes of affecting any passerby. public infiltration, whether spray can vandalism or graffiti art may make an impression on someone if they empty themselves to that wall of work at that very moment. the.following.images.are.property.of.bianca.russo:
--with open eyes, walk the streets--
