Graffiti as Art?

Graffiti artists at the Utah Arts Festival in Library Square, June 21st, 2012

When people hear the word graffiti, many associate it with vandalism, gang activity, and incoherent scribbles on a fence.  Yet, in watching graffiti artists at work, like those participating in the Urban and Utah Arts Festivals in downtown Salt Lake, we begin to understand and accept graffiti as an art form.

Graffiti often expresses discontent with politics, society, and the art world and associates strongly with hip hop culture.  Unsolicited scribbles have always existed, but graffiti art truly gained acceptance as a movement during the 60s.  New York became as the most well-known location for the progression of spray can art.  Graffiti wasn’t just handwritten messages on bathroom walls; it involved planning, detail, and execution.  Various styles developed, especially around “tagging” or signing your name or street name.  Tagging started as a way of declaring your presence and developed into elaborate “pieces” or masterpieces.

Graffiti artists at the Utah Arts Festival at Library Square in Salt Lake City

In writing about graffiti art, George C. Stowers indicates that the main difference among the artwork in museums and galleries and graffiti exists in location.  In museums and galleries, we know what to expect and how to behave.  Such locations inspire quiet, contemplation, and an almost reverence to the artwork.  These works are here for a reason.

East wall of the Utah Arts Alliance building in Salt Lake City

Yet, what about graffiti?  As Stowers mentions, graffiti highlights an unexpected area, like a subway train, the wall of an abandoned building, or a fence.  Viewers exist as regular people who just happen to come in contact with this surprising artwork and who experience “immediate appreciation.”  The nature of graffiti art is also very transient.  In museums, works have been guarded and refurbished for hundreds of years.  But graffiti art can disappear more quickly than it was produced.

In the 70s, spray can art gained gradual acceptance, particularly in New York and Europe.  Graffiti artists were often commissioned or asked permission to create artwork on abandoned buildings in an effort toward city beautification.  This development progressed away from the typical conception of graffiti as unsolicited and illegal.  Now, graffiti artists enjoy international recognition.

East wall of the Utah Arts Alliance building in Salt Lake City

A prime example would be the UK graffiti artist known as Banksy, who tagged various buildings in Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival in 2010.  His work promoted the film exit through the gift shop and exposed graffiti culture.  At first, many residents were shocked to find graffiti in their city.  They later realized that this street art would fetch thousands of dollars.

Spray can art’s gradual acceptance into mainstream culture seems best represented by the participating graffiti artists at the Urban and Utah Arts Festivals.  WIth all the pervading preconceived notions about street art, who would have ever expected graffiti to be showcased and preformed while in front of families with children?  It seems graffiti has come a long way in earning validation for being a true art form.

Experience the Utah Arts Festival

Thursday, June 21st marked the opening of the Utah Arts Festival 2012 at Library Square.  A sea of white tents appeared from the road and seemed a welcome reminder of one of Salt Lake’s most popular events.  Artists come from all over the country to sell everything from paintings, sculptures, Native American rugs and kachinas, jewelry, wood creations, fused glass, stonework, photographs, caricatures, clothing, accessories, items made out of recycled materials, and pottery.

As a testament to the popularity and massiveness of the event, security appears at every entrance and checks your bags and beverage containers in similar fashion to security at the airport.  They are courteous and efficient and assure a safe and pleasant environment.

Library Square spreads out before you.  The windows, spirals, and mirrors that comprise the Salt Lake Library glitter back refections of various booths.  It takes at least an hour or two to explore.  We browsed and talked with artists from all over Utah, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, and Pennsylvania, just to name a few.  Each offered something unique, and prices range from a couple of dollars to thousands.  Opportunities exist for anyone to afford a souvenir from the event.

Music also accompanies the festivities.  Bands play in giant open-air amphitheaters and feature a variety of musicians and musical styles.  During our visit, Lo-Fi Riot performed ska on the Park Stage and had everyone moving to the beat.  Groups and performances vary throughout the four days of the festival and include everything from punk to classical.  While wandering the grounds, we also enjoyed Bob Culbertson playing the Chapman Stick, an awesome instrument that we’d never heard of before.  (It looks like a long neck of a guitar.)

Film, dance, and literary performances appeal to every age group and often allow visitors to enjoy air conditioning inside.  Films come from around the world, and several specifically appeal to young children.  Subjects range from relationships, environmentalism, social identities, and experiences from our past.  Dance also offers a pleasant diversion and includes performances from the Repertory Dance Theater, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, a soloist from Ballet West, and the Children’s Dance Theater.  Poetry readings, performances from Wise Guys Comedy Club, storytelling, and one-act plays offer literary buffs a fun experience.

Abundant activities also exist for children.  They can create their own comic books and participate in various workshops, including face painting and hat making, to name a few.  Puppet theater proves a delight for adults as well as children.  Workshops cater to adults, too, and are usually capped at fifteen participants.  Subjects vary from screen printing to break dancing.

The Leonardo, Salt Lake’s science, technology, and art museum, is also getting in on the action by providing several events.  For example, on the north side of the Leonardo, an installation by artist Trent Alvey called “Synchronicity and our City Creeks,” uses shallow water baths and floating metronomes to demonstrate the science of water and waves.

Be sure to also check out the progress of the Sand Sculpture Company on 200 East.  Artist Ted Seibert sculpts twenty tons of sand, and it provides an exciting in-progress event to the festival.  Feel free to spend the whole day.  Various concession stands appear along the way and a food court dining area appears under a tent.  Beer and wine are served, and water and fruit vendors are established throughout the venue.  They offer a welcome respite from the heat of the day.

For more information on ticket prices, times, and specific events, check out the Utah Arts Festival website at: www.uaf.org/

Photos by Amourette and Juliette Bradley, video by Juliette Bradley, and music from Nine Inch Nails “7 Ghosts” from Ghosts I-IV.