graffiti - part ii

I believe there are two kinds of graffiti.  The first kind is graffiti that involves someone simply making their mark.  For example, writing their name in a non-artistic way.  The second kind is simply a public showing of artistic ability, and while it is generally illegal, it isn't always.

This alley in Padova, Italy, for example, is what I would call people making their mark.

 Now, I'm sure some thought went into how these people designed their tell tale mark, but we have to admit, they are not super artistic. There are some that I believe ride the line between these two "types."  For example, many of these are still people's 'mark,' but you can tell a bit more thought and creativity went into them (photos taken in an underground walkway in Leuven, Belgium).

And then there are the ones I consider truly artistic.  There are the ones I shared last week (my particular favorite), as well as some of these:

In that same walkway in Leuven, Belgium

In Leuven, Belgium

In Nijmegen, The Netherlands (I especially like the name on the blowing bags!)

At the park in Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Somewhere in Venice, Italy

On the exterior wall of my studio building in Boston, MA

A building in Brooklyn, NY

I had never really considered all of these different avenues for graffiti until I started looking through all the random shots we've taken of it throughout our travels.  Interesting, no?

Related Articles

Graffiti - Part I - A look at my favorite graffiti of all time

My Studio - A photo gallery - A look at my studio in Boston, MA
Netherlands Workspace - A look at where I painted in Nijmegen, The Netherlands