Graffiti and street art

In short: Graffiti and street art shape public space with images, lettering and messages. While unauthorised spraying counts as criminal damage, there are also legal walls and commissioned works.

In more detail: The scene arose in the 1970s in New York, often linked to hip-hop culture.

In detail

• Techniques: Spray can, stencils, wallpaper stencils, wheatpaste posters.
• Styles: Tags (signatures), throw-ups, elaborate pieces, murals.
• Well-known artists: Banksy is world-famous for political street art.
• Legality: In Germany spraying without permission is a criminal offence, legal walls exist in many cities.
• Meaning: Can carry social and political messages.
• Museums: Street art is now also exhibited and collected.
• Trying it out: Legal hall-of-fame walls offer a safe way to start (zeichnen-lernen-grundlagen).