Style Wars Analysis
This was a very interesting film to watch. I have always loved graffiti and wanted to know more about it. Additionally, I’ve always wanted to be able to watch people making graffiti and the steps and thought process that goes behind it. So, this movie was perfect. I also got to learn a lot about the graffiti way of life behind the scenes straight from the source.
To start off at an interesting point there is a point in the film towards the beginning in which there is mention of exploring the tunnels with graffiti as tombs under the city. There is a sense of history down in these tunnels because there are maps and tags from when the first train line ever existed. There are layers and layers of paint making up the thickness of the walls. I think that even though you can’t see some of the underlying tags—they are still there and very much a part of this scene. These “hip-hop” graffiti kids are changing the face of the city with every tag they make. By leaving their own personal permanent mark they are reconstructing the aesthetic of the city. And furthermore, this aesthetic isn’t just a constant but always changing and improving in a sense. These writers are constantly trying to one up each other in the place, size, amount, and style of their tags. This is what makes this aesthetic a constant evolution within the city.
This particular ‘graffiti demographic’ is made up of adolescents and probably a majority of them are young black men. This culture is ‘bombing’ their city with their graffiti by putting their mark into their society. I think for them it’s a way of wedging their foot on the closing door of opportunity. I say this because without graffiti they may possibly never been known. But by marking their name or what have you—thousands and thousands of people are viewing it on a daily basis. The most interesting part of the film for me was the idea of these writers becoming famous yet no one really knows who they are. I would say that this act of writing your name in graffiti is indeed a form of control. This particular group really doesn’t have a lot of control in any other form. The majorities of citizens dislike graffiti and want to put an end to the acts of these kids. So in a way the simple act of it is what is keeping and gaining more control for these hip hop kids with each mark they make in their city.
Historically, this particular group of individuals that make up this demographic have had little to their name. This begs the question of if graffiti is an attempt at ownership. Personally I think this is a crazy idea. I don’t believe that it’s about owning the area being tagged but more of a way to get their name out there. Additionally it’s a way of being a true part of their society and culture they have created with these tags. I think that in comparison to Bansky’s work these kids are on a much smaller scale. I think Bansky’s work is absolutely brilliant. It is making such a statement. I say that the writers in New York are on a smaller scale because even though they are doing the same physical act, I think it’s for different reasons. Banskys is much more political and even more taboo considering it’s location. These kids in New York are indeed tagging on government property it is still a form of public property for the entire city to enjoy. Whereas the wall that Bansky utilized is designed to separate people. Personally I don’t think that these two groups and ideas can really be compared on the same level.
Honestly I think that stereotypes are ridiculous. Yet unfortunately everyone is subject to them and to making them. I think it’s a part of human nature to judge other human beings. I think that this particular scene is partly about breaking those stereotypes. There is a part within this film that mentions the makeup of these groups as being primarily young black men so when a white person makes graffiti it is very unexpected. I would say that these group members definitely defy societal expectations. I have no idea why affluent white kids are attracted to graffiti. Maybe it’s a way of rebellion towards their upbringing. Or maybe they just want to be different than their parents. Or maybe they are like me and watch graffiti artists in awe and then a little voice in their head say “I want to do that too!” But who really knows. I don’t think that there are any set guidelines to determine who should or should not be a part of this particular group.
During the film one individual admits to vandalizing but also says that it’s something that made “you” open your eyes and look at it. He also asks “what are you talking about it for?” Previously in the film one of these group members said he doesn’t do it (meaning tagging) for anyone else. He mentions he doesn’t care if people know who did it. These people only make these tags for themselves and other taggers out there in the scene. But honestly no matter what these individuals say I think that one part of them, no matter how teeny tiny does it for attention. This attention can be good or bad—just as long as people notice it. I realize that for the most part this form of art within their society is for themselves but the point of art is for it to be seen by others as well.
Overall I found this film incredibly interesting. I learned a lot about the society in which these young artists live in and how they are affecting it on a daily basis. With each mark they make, no matter how big or small, they are making a difference in their world.
