"Well, it was just—it seemed like it was violence, and, like, cause I went by some of the stores that, like, I dont really eat at McDonalds, yknow, but a lot of people do, and so there are these people who want, yknow, theyre-theyre socialists but they hate people, yknow, so they go trash the McDonalds, and I just think it was just reckless violence, and they werent tryina accomplish anything, and they said—he was writing something on the wall, some kind of graffiti that was just stupid and cliché, and I said, "Hey, how would you like if someone did that to your house?" and he yelled back, "Fuck you!" and these other people started yelling "Fuck you!" at me; Im, like, "Oh," like "Im in trouble."
Graffiti is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from simple written "monikers" to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire.
"Graffiti has more chance of meaning something or changing stuff than anything indoors. Graffiti has been used to start revolutions, stop wars, and generally is the voice of people who arent listened to. Graffiti is one of those few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you dont come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make somebody smile while theyre having a piss."
"I grew up in a very small town, without buildings but only houses – not the best for tagging. Also I liked the atmosphere of abandoned spaces, somehow apart from the real world. A good place to practice.It was only when I moved to a bigger city and felt more confident about my paintings that I started to do it in the streets. Tagging then became a drug; I was addicted to graffiti."
"Graffiti is graffiti and street art is street art. Street artists are more concerned with getting a message out to the public. And it often has political and social overtones. Graffiti is about style."
"Sure, but Germany actually provides us with graffiti lawyers. And you need to be caught in action in order for the police to arrest you."
"I wanted that work to carry the most important message ... that a person mustnt sell himself. I made a chocolate bar that cant be bought, using a giant panel of concrete."
"They need to learn the importance of respect. They think getting up is cool, but too many young writers out there don’t have any knowledge of graffiti’s roots."