Graffiti Writing: This Is Modern Art Play Essay

The play, "This is Modern Art," explores the various perceptions of graffiti in the society. Graffiti is a common sight in urban centers where the artists who draw it regard it as a form of art. However, graffiti has faced widespread criticism in major cities since it is viewed as a form of illegal art or form of rebellion that the youth identify with. The play invokes the debate on graffiti and racism since the three main characters are of color. Selena, a white girlfriend to Seven, loves and identifies herself with graffiti and plays a major role in the activities of the three graffiti artists. Graffiti is a form of contemporary art like any other and can be used positively for aesthetic beauty and social campaigns.

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A major reason why graffiti artists feel unappreciated is the bureaucratic perception in the modern world that art is only found in museums and galleries (Cybriwsky et al. 146). Due to this misconception, little effort is made to appreciate and discover street art. Seven brings this ideology to light when he was away from work and saw the gleaming museum. He explains that he felt unwelcome to the museum and wanted to draw graffiti on its walls to show the visitors to the museum that real art existed (Goodwin and Coval 40). If only the museum accepted graffiti as a form of art, artists like Seven would not have to draw on apartment walls and train stations illegally.

Graffiti is a powerful communication tool where a single word can pass on a story. Graffiti artists like Seven, Dose and JC use spray paints of different colors to draw their graffiti (Goodwin and Coval 85). The results are complex drawings that capture the attention of virtually everyone in the city where they draw. If only the municipalities appreciate it as an art and used graffiti to advertise and pass on information, graffiti artists would make a living of it, and the contemporary art industry would grow tremendously.

The continued lack of appreciation for graffiti artists causes thriving of sadistic tendencies and disregard to the rule of law. The play shows Seven, Dose and JC waiting for a guard to leave his watch station so that they draw graffiti on the wall. They hope that the security cameras are out so that nobody will spot them drawing the graffiti (Goodwin and Coval 58). This shows that they understand their trespassing act but are proud to do it in a society that does not appreciate their art. Additionally, the play shows graffiti as a handy art that ought to be appreciated just as the crafts preserved in galleries and museums. Graffiti artists are alienated from society because it does not regard their skills as art. Most graffiti artists are youths and can thus not successfully engage in campaigns and discussions to document graffiti as art. Consequently, the artists venture to practically show the society their art by vandalizing private property and drawing graffiti where they want. The frustration from society negatives affects the behavior of graffiti artists.

Conclusion

Graffiti is a handy art that can be of great use in society. Graffiti artists showcase their art on the streets due to lack of art platforms. Society should appreciate graffiti as art, and municipal councils should set up special walls where graffiti artists can draw their designs and show them to the public at a fee. This would rid sadistic tendencies and enhance the position of graffiti as contemporary artwork.

Works Cited

Goodwin, I. Coval, K. This is Modern Art: A Play. Haymarket Books, (2016).

Cybriwsky, Roman, and David Ley. "Urban graffiti as territorial markers." Culture and Society. Routledge, 2018. 143-157.