Customer Reviews

Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground (Alternative Criminology)

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Finally a scholarly analysis of graffiti that's not stuck in the 1970s. Anyone doing urban ethnography should check this book out. The author's methodology appendix offers up innovative and creative research techniques. Plus, anyone following Shepard Fairey or Banksy will appreciate the discussion of the career trajectories less well-known writers take as they move away from the street.

Remember that the graffiti scene in the 1970's and 1980's was a subculture that was very important to the evolution of the actual art that came from it (which we see in the 1990's until now). In the future "graffiti art" as we think of it today will be known as one of the few original artforms that came from the U.S.A. There are not many artforms that can say that. To me this is something important to write about and I thank the writer for understanding this. Those who critisize him are obviously ignorant to what they are talking about. They do not know what is like to come from a city where the people, architecture, and system of things tells you everyday that "you are worth nothing and do not matter". That frame of thought was the spark that started it all.
This is an excellent book that delves deep into the lives and culture of graffiti artists.

I wonder if Mr Snyder would like people to "tag" his house... Why not organize a group of 'fans' to graffiti his place every day? I bet he would love it! =) He does not care about all the people that has to remove it from their properties and even loves the 'thrill' of being a vandal. I think someone had a very over-protective mom back in the day! =) Grow up buddy! You are a College teacher now!

The only positive thing that I got from it was this: "No one wants to spend time and energy to do graffiti that will be painted over in twenty-four hours, because there's no fame" Just a reminder for the rest of us about how to deal with this issue.