Color Explosion: Graffiti and Changing Communities

When graffiti was gaining popularity in the United States, especially in New York during the 1980s, it was considered an act of rebellion. Today it is still considered vandalism yet as more and more time passes there are explosions of colors in the most unexpected places. Looking out the window to the masses of old and new building, the changing architectural composition of the neighborhood was not was stood out. What stood out was pink, black, and white curved lines that created something incomprehensible to my eyesight. One looks layered on top of the other yet their composition stands out by giving a face to the building. As my head keeps turning, it meets a valley of graffiti hidden a couple of blocks away. This time the word “Chose” in black, bold letters were invading my vision. Behind it a colorful valley of graffiti was hidden yet that was all I could focus on. Questions arise all having to do with the purpose of the chosen word, what was the person thinking. In a way the people who do create graffiti want to create a conversation, the job of the observer is to determine if something is critiquing society or it is meant to entertain those around the communities. Vibrant colors and works that range from  cats to animated characters they are all looming on the everyday lives of those who pass them.  When sitting and looking out the window or when waiting for the train , these expressions are filling brooklyn streets in an rapidly increasing manner. Their beautiful colors and juxtapositions of topics are established by every curve and every line yet with the rise of these works, came the rise of those that revolved their lives around them. More and more people are seen around such areas these days, street vendors position themselves in front of it, and more and more people pay attention to their surroundings to a greater scale compared to before. There is a change in the community and everybody who has lived in it for a long time notices because as graffiti expands in coverage of the walls of building, there is a change in the composition of the community.

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