The Art of Getting Over

by Stephen Powers

What started as simple street movement, a way to assert individuality and pride, has blossomed into much Graffiti is everywhere. From Sprite commercials to The Source magazine to Soho art galleries, the elements and vernacular of the graffiti aesthetic are apparent in today's society. This book examines graffiti's influence from its earliest days to its undeniable ubiquity now. Written by an insider, it includes a general history, in-depth interviews with both the progenitors of the form and current artists, and full-color illustrations of the most important works over the last 30 years. Unlike other subcultures that have been corrupted by the media and the mainstream, graffiti has maintained its sense of the underground and its clandestine feel. The purity and integrity that have defined the graffiti writer's mission have never faltered. The Art of Getting Over offers an unprecedented glimpse into this deeply affecting urban art form.

Genres: Art, Graffiti, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Neko · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my many loved graffiti books sitting proudly in my collection. It goes into the history of the old school writers. It feels gritty and down to the truth. It's got interviews with certain writers which can spread some light on what they are up to.

Many trains,freights and walls feature in this book.

[miskcufdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

as a product of New York and a product of graffiti both as a crime and as a culture. this book doesn't really give me anything new. I was expecting something else when I first read it back in the nineties I got nothing. for tourists its good though gives you into the glimpse of the world from our side

[N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all - great text and great photos that give the reader a rich and detailed history of the earlier days of NY graffiti.

[Sam "The Record Man" · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sort of history of the art of Graffiti across the United States and into the rest of the world. Visually stunning, it shows quite a few pieces by the artists alter ego, ESPO.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this book was written by someone who belongs to the subculture and not some wannabe anthropologist documenting what they think they know about graffiti culture. I don't recommend the Kindle version (particularly the PaperWhite which shows images in black and white). This book is naturally very image heavy and the images are important to understanding the stories presented. Get the paper version of the book to really enjoy and engage with the art beyond a screen.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're toy until further notice.

[Karie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally unself-conscious monograph about the early days of the phenomenon that is graffitti art. Great spotlights of OG artists that Juxtapoz magazine only wishes they were smooth enough to know about.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book, great images with great backstories. Really helps you understand how there is more behind the act of "vandalism", in which people generally associate. Would definitely recommend to people who like art and want to know a lot more about street art and graffiti.

[Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe he was arrested because of this. That always adds a little something to a book.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showes another side of graff which was left out of other books.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Intellectual gas in a pseudo philosophical form about mostly tags and almost no graffiti. Probably a journalist trying to capitalize on some old photographs.