ARTH 3160

Students will undertake a critical and historical examination of the origins and evolution of graffiti and street art in the urban context. The course will track the rise of graffiti and street art from their first appearance on North American city streets through to their often-controversial foray into the contemporary art scene and into their present status as among the most circulated and highly visible forms of global public art both on the Internet and in cities around the world. Themes and issues covered in this course include the form and content of signature graffiti writing and street art media and techniques; the emergence of key individuals, crews, and rivalries on local and global scenes; the influence of hip-hop and music cultures on graffiti and street art; identity politics and the contest over real and virtual public space; the role and influence of celebrity graffiti and street artists on the scene; and the role of technological, digital, computerized, and networked information technologies in the creation, distribution, and circulation of graffiti and street art today. Note: Credit will not be given for both ARTH 3160 and ARTH 3100: Street and Graffiti Art.