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Graffiti New York
Decades after the movement globalized, New York is still the mecca of graffiti culture. Painting there is a badge of honor, with graffiti artists from around the globe making pilgrimages to New York for that purpose. This is the city where it all began, yet few know the back story.
Graffiti New York fills that gap, detailing the concepts, aesthetics, ideals, and social structures that have served as a cultural blueprint for graffiti movements across the world. The book features approximately 1,000 images, complemented by texts by the authors and relevant players in the movement, as well as descriptive graphics and sidebars.
Ranging from the birth of simple signature tags to today’s vibrant murals, and covering the ups and downs of the movement, the culture’s value system, its social framework, the various forms of graffiti, and significant artists and crews, Graffiti New York is a major addition to Abrams' superb books on graffiti art.
Graffiti New York fills that gap, detailing the concepts, aesthetics, ideals, and social structures that have served as a cultural blueprint for graffiti movements across the world. The book features approximately 1,000 images, complemented by texts by the authors and relevant players in the movement, as well as descriptive graphics and sidebars.
Ranging from the birth of simple signature tags to today’s vibrant murals, and covering the ups and downs of the movement, the culture’s value system, its social framework, the various forms of graffiti, and significant artists and crews, Graffiti New York is a major addition to Abrams' superb books on graffiti art.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 30, 2014
I picked this up mainly out of curiosity. You walk down the street and see letters written up on buildings, phone booths, bus shelters, etc. that you can't even read and you wonder "so, what's this about? What does it mean? How do they get their monikers? Is it gang activity?"
Mostly, from reading this book, I've found it's NOT as gang related as I initially thought it to be. There's a wide range of graffiti styles and each individual makes their name their own. From tags to throw-ups to pieces and productions, this book covers the beginnings of the movement in New York City and provides accounts from writers themselves touching on everything from the subway era to the gallery scene.
Written by two brothers who were very much a part of the movement, the book photographically documents graffiti from the early 1970s to the present with stunning images of what these kids were capable of.
I mean, I didn't realize there was a whole culture around this with its own terminology: "Bombing", "Burning", "Racking", "Going Over", "Kinging", etc. It's an underground art world created by youth outside of the establishment, and I was pretty fascinated with the whole deal.
Vandalism or art? If you take a look at some of the images, you can NOT deny that there is some serious skill involved. Just because writing has its roots in being an illegal activity does not dismiss it as an art form.
Definitely art.
Mostly, from reading this book, I've found it's NOT as gang related as I initially thought it to be. There's a wide range of graffiti styles and each individual makes their name their own. From tags to throw-ups to pieces and productions, this book covers the beginnings of the movement in New York City and provides accounts from writers themselves touching on everything from the subway era to the gallery scene.
Written by two brothers who were very much a part of the movement, the book photographically documents graffiti from the early 1970s to the present with stunning images of what these kids were capable of.
I mean, I didn't realize there was a whole culture around this with its own terminology: "Bombing", "Burning", "Racking", "Going Over", "Kinging", etc. It's an underground art world created by youth outside of the establishment, and I was pretty fascinated with the whole deal.
Vandalism or art? If you take a look at some of the images, you can NOT deny that there is some serious skill involved. Just because writing has its roots in being an illegal activity does not dismiss it as an art form.
Definitely art.
July 14, 2011
The term "graffiti writers" is new to me. Northwest Washington State is not a hotbed of graffiti culture. I am an inveterate train-watcher and became a graffiti watcher, as well. What I observed on the cars as they passed by awakened in me the recognition of an art form. I am amazed at the shapes and forms writers create with letters and words. This is a beautiful book.
October 16, 2020
Purchase Graffiti New York here for just $20!
An excellent visual document of New York from the 1970s to today looking at graffiti, including interviews with people involved or affected by the artistic movement. A beautiful and comprehensive book.
Elisa - The Book Grocer
An excellent visual document of New York from the 1970s to today looking at graffiti, including interviews with people involved or affected by the artistic movement. A beautiful and comprehensive book.
Elisa - The Book Grocer
September 25, 2023
For a neophyte such as myself this was a great book. Quite comprehensive and an easy read.
November 2, 2015
Probably the best book I've read on graffiti in New York, and I've read a ton of them. Interviews with not only the writers and artists, but the cops who tried to stop them, the shopkeepers who embraced or hated the impact the art had on their storefronts, and its international reach from the 70s to modern day-osh. Blown away by the depth in which this goes, and you'd be hard pressed to find another book that goes into as much detail about not only the art, but ancillary topics of law enforcement, the "writers code", and a ton more.
March 4, 2015
Review originally posted 1 February 2013 on Falling Letters.
A very thorough and enlightening read on the history of graffiti in New York. Lots of comments from writers throughout the decades, photos, input from law enforcement, description of techniques and supplies, etc.
A very thorough and enlightening read on the history of graffiti in New York. Lots of comments from writers throughout the decades, photos, input from law enforcement, description of techniques and supplies, etc.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews