Regarding our third paper on the topic of graffiti, we had a speaker come and talk about his experience with body modifications, tattoos in particular. He presented the class with the reasoning behind his tattoo and how it defines him as a person. In class we talked about identity and how both of these art forms, graffiti and tattoos, are related. I believe that tattoos and graffiti are both expressions of art and define either the person wearing the tattoo or the person tagging the graffiti.
Both art forms help create an identity. For example, a person can be spotted out of a crowd by the tattoo they wear or a well known graffiti artist can be identified by their artwork on a wall. These forms of expressing one's self also have stories behind the artwork. For example my favorite graffiti artist, Banksky, is a political activist and it really shows in his street art. The same can be said about tattoos. I have six tattoos myself and each one has its own story on how it became on my body. All of them help identify who I am.
Megan Girouard
I completely agree, they are both forms of expression. I too have tattoos so I can understand the idea of a tattoo being able to define a person. Graffiti is quite similar because it also provides a way for an artist or individual to express themselves, or define something. They both provide their own unique form of expression.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Megan. While I do not have any tattoos, I completely support people who choose to get meaningful tattoos. Like graffiti, tattoes are definitely another form of expression. I remember in class one day we discussed the "Lizard Man" who was covered from head to toe in tattoos. His tats were different though, they came together to create a reptile! While this is quite an extreme, it completely illustrates one's self expression.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that tattoos add to a person's identity. Rarely have I met someone who had a tattoo that didn't hold some sort of significance for them. Like graffiti, tattoos can also relay public and meaningful messages. An example of a meaningful tattoo is the one my aunt got a few months after she lost both her husband and son. She got a claddagh tattooed on her ankle with their names inside of the heart. Rather than leaving the names written in a heart left on a surface where few people could see it, my aunt wears the names of her beloved husband and son as a reminder to herself and others that they will always be a permanent part of her being.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that graffiti and tattoos are forms of individual expression. I thought it was interesting how our class guest speaker had a tattoo on his arm before but chose to cover it with a more meaningful tattoo. This shows that individuals can change and adapt their personalities as they develop.
ReplyDeleteI believe that tattoos don't always have to have meaning other than an artistic expression. For instance most tribal tattoos probably have meaning to them, but most people that get them don't know the meaning but like the design. However tattoos with meaning are the ones that will seem better in the long run, like when you're older and see it in the mirror, you can remember about the meaning behind it in case you have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Megan. Tattoos and graffiti are both a form of expressing yourself. I do not have any tattoos myself now but I will likely get one later down the road, after I’ve thought about it awhile. My friend got a tattoo on his arm of his friend after he passed away suddenly. It’s of cross with his friend’s initials on it with barb wire wrapped around the cross. There are some tattoos that have much detail that make them beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree that tattoos and graffiti are both expressions of art and can help define people. Many times people will plan out a tattoo and it will have some meaning to them, even if it doesn't they will remember why they chose to get it. Once someone gets a tattoo is will always be a part of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, Graffiti is a form or self expression, and if done well is really respectable in my opinion. I think just pointlessly drawing ugly graffiti doesn't make at though.
ReplyDeletei agree with megan. it is a form of expression. and all art has a meaning to someone. Tattoos are just like graffiti. They are looked down upon by some people and if there is too much or, if the onlookers dont find it aesthetically pleasing some may consider them offense or destruction. But that doesnt mean it isnt art. "ugly" graffiti and tattoos are still art too, maybe not to you but to someone else perhaps. Also, even if it doesnt have a deep meaning, art can be there just to be there, just to marvel in its beauty..just like tattoos of murals or sleeves for example.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with megan. Tattoos help form a persons identity and can define who they are as a person. Graffiti and tattoos are both forms of expression weather its on the side of a building or on the side of your body. They are both designs done by yourself that can express your feelings and emotions in an art form.
ReplyDeleteI see both graffiti and tattoos as art forms that express identity. Many people have unique tattoos that they designed themselves that have special meaning to them that nobody else would have. Once you get a tattoo it becomes a part of who you are. Graffiti can also expresses one’s identity. Whether an artist writes something meaningful to them or a mural that is important, they are expressing who they are; which in turn is their identity.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with the tattoos being apart of ones identity. Me myself have no tattoos but I respect people who have them and don't view them as a form artwork. Just like graffiti it's someones way of expressing themselves.
ReplyDeleteI believe that tattoos can be apart of a persons identity, especially if the tattoo means something to them. Even though graffiti and tattoos can be apart of someones identity, i don't consider tattoos to be graffiti. Graffiti is writing or drawing on public places or walls. Our body's are not public surfaces.
ReplyDeleteHaving a tattoo is apart of that person's idenity. They got the tattoo for a reason. Everytime they see it they will think of the reason. It's their own form of art.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chad and Cassandra. I agree that tattoos don't always have to be expression, but often are. Tribal tattoos are an example of tattoos that people get that they don't use to tell any particular story, but they think it looks cool. I also feel that tattoos can serve as a reminder to someone everyday when they look at it. It can serve as daily inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI view both graffiti and tattoos as art. They are contemporary forms of art that show extreme expression. Personally, I do not have any tattoos, but I find them to be really fascinating and beautiful. Each design has it's own story, and when a person can embrace that, it is truly art.
ReplyDeleteHaving a tattoo is an expression of how that person feels about that certain tattoo that they got. Most people disagree with what i am saying but i believe that having a tattoo is an art.
ReplyDeleteArt is an expression of self. To many graffiti is seen as art, and tattoos are seen as graffiti. I guess it depends on a persons beleifs about expression of art. Many tattoos are artistic and expressive, especially since a person tags themselves with permeant ink they tend to look for a more meaningful tattoo art.
ReplyDeleteI believe with my class mates that tattoos can be a form of their identity, since it is permantely inked on their skin most people choose a meaningful message that they use as their expression of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that tattoos and graffiti can express who a person is and be viewed as a form of art. We all have different ways of speaking (without actually speaking) about what kind of person we are. Some dress a certain way, write a certain way or live certain ways. This all shows and defines the person that they feel inside of them.
ReplyDeleteI think that tattoos are not considered to be graffti but i think as a work of art. nobodys gonna get a tattoo if they dont mean it. it took me forever to come up with an idea. when i finally came back from israel i relized of what i wanna get and that was a tattoo in hebrew. if someone gets a tattoo that doesnt have any meaning to you than you should never get one.
ReplyDeleteADAM CLEMENTS
I agree i think that they are both a form of expression. It also sometimes tells who you are by tattoo's and art. Many people get tattoos to have some type of meaning to them on their body. For example if someone has passes people may get their name or something that reminds them of that person. Usually people get tattoos to express what has happened in their life at a point in time. All my tattoos have meaning and represent me in a certain way.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I feel tattoos tell a story, a story about you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don't have any tattoos just because I want it to represent something great, after all I'll be stuck with it forever.
ReplyDeleteI love tattoos. I personally have one and I plan on having many more. I believe they are a reflection of one's journey and experiences and a way of expressing oneself. With graffiti, it is art. But where it is placed is important. Place it somewhere where it will not be painted over and ask permission.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah G. If you do use graffiti as a form of expression that is fine. But be respectful as to where you draw it, and that's were vandalism comes in for people who just draw anywhere and on anyone's property.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the original post. I do not have any tattoos but I some day want one for expression of course. Just by looking at one small design on a person's body can give them a certain type of persona or identity which they will carry the rest of their life.
ReplyDeleteI Tattoos are definitely a form of self expression; you go to the tattoo store, you pick something that you like or reflects off your life experience. Any image tells a story and if it is done well, your point gets across and you can express yourself positively.
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