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A brief history of graffiti - Kelly Wall

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31,574 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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Spray-painted subway cars, tagged bridges, mural-covered walls – graffiti pops up boldly throughout our cities. And it turns out: it’s nothing new. Graffiti has been around for thousands of years. And across that span of time, it’s raised the same questions we debate now: Is it art? Is it vandalism? Kelly Wall describes the history of graffiti.

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kelly Wall
  • Script Editor Mia Nacamulli
  • Director Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat
  • Animator Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat
  • Composer Cem Misirlioglu

What does the future of graffiti look like? Read the quote below and respond. “Imagine a city where graffiti wasn't illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colors and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that and stop leaning against the wall - it's wet.” (Banksy, Wall and Piece)

TED-EdLesson CreatorNew York, NY

I think this could be positive in certain ways but could also be incredibly offensive towards people's ideas, religions, Lgbtq+ etc. Graffiti in certain areas is acceptable but can be considered ugly in other places and can be incredibly ugly looking.

While the idea of unrestricted graffiti may sound appealing in fostering creativity, it's essential to balance artistic expression with public and private property rights. Some restrictions are necessary to prevent vandalism and maintain a sense of order in a city. Allowing graffiti in designated areas like parks and public spaces, under certain guidelines for positivity and appropriateness, can strike a better balance between artistic freedom and responsible urban aesthetics.

Avatar for Sree Ravi

Posted on 10/26/2023

Posted by Sree Ravi LESSON IN PROGRESS

"draw whatever they liked." This could be both good and bad, not all people are artists, some will draw nasty dirty things and use this freedom for the wrong reasons. They could also choose important buildings or businesses to draw on, which is not appropriate. There is a fine line between creative art to decorate the city, and a dirty city full of valdalisim (graffiti everywhere).

Avatar for Kaitlyn Ash

Posted on 09/18/2023

Posted by Kaitlyn Ash LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think that in the cities every exterior decoration, design, graffiti and etc. should be approved by appropriate authorities, in order do not lose common view. As for me graffiti is not art, but may be used for covering some parts of buildings and walls.

Avatar for Ashot Muradyan

Posted on 03/03/2023

Posted by Ashot Muradyan LESSON IN PROGRESS

For me, graffiti is an artistic expression that tries to undermine and challenge the art status quo: it is a way to repeal and challenge the idea that art can only be performed if people have a formal art education and follow the criteria expected by the fine arts. I really like the idea that art can be achieved by anyone and everywhere. It is also really interesting to argue that cities can function as canvases: the cities are also part of the social changes, the artistic movements, and the expression of the people who inhabit them.

Avatar for Pau M

Posted on 03/03/2023

Posted by Pau M LESSON IN PROGRESS

I am in agree that not everybody has the talent to create art, based on this fact, for me, only talented artist should be allowed to make this kind of art. I believe that the government should make some rules to decide in which public places can make this art also I think that in private properties, the artist must get the permit from the owner to paint its wall.
All people have the right to express itself publicly on the walls but we all must be able to differentiate between art and vandalism.

I think, there is a big difference between vandalism and art, a bright city and a dirty city. So not every desire to leave a mark should be allowed. People who want to draw on the wall should be able to draw as Bansky can.

Avatar for Nina Klebanova

Posted on 03/02/2023

Posted by Nina Klebanova LESSON IN PROGRESS

In my opinion not everyone have the talent to create art so make graffiti legal for everyone isn't a great idea.
I'll like the vision of a city full of colors, murals of landscapes, historical people or positive phrases so we could appreciate the art while waiting for the bus after a long day at work.

Avatar for Alma RV

Posted on 02/28/2023

Posted by Alma RV LESSON IN PROGRESS

I believe that graffiti art can be a powerful form of self-expression. Graffiti art can also serve a reflection of the culture and community in which it created. There will be more colorful or creativity everywhere. However I also worry about the impact of graffiti art on private property rights and the maintenance of public buildings. There is still room for discussion regarding of graffiti art.

Avatar for Ching Fen Lu

Posted on 02/28/2023

Posted by Ching Fen Lu LESSON IN PROGRESS

I think it would be something positive and partly something negative; I think the positive part would be that we could appreciate art, we could discover shapes and colors that we have never seen before, feel the emotions that artists express and flinch with their works; the negative part is that if anyone can make a graffiti, they can transmit a wrong message that comes brokes the morality and respect for other people like childrens, womans, or international people.

Avatar for Micaella Vaca

Posted on 02/27/2023

Posted by Micaella Vaca LESSON IN PROGRESS

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