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The history of graffiti dates back thousands of years. The first traces of graffiti are found on the walls of prehistoric caves, where early humans left drawings and marks as a form of communication and artistic expression. These cave paintings often depicted hunting scenes, animals, and abstract symbols. -
However, in the modern context, graffiti as we know it today originated in the 1960s in the city of Philadelphia, United States. At that time, young people began to write their names and nicknames on the walls of the city using markers and spray cans. These inscriptions were known as “tags” and were a way of marking territory and gaining recognition among others. -
In the 1970s, graffiti spread rapidly throughout New York, becoming a distinctive form of artistic expression of urban culture. Graffiti writers began to create more elaborate and detailed pieces, using different lettering styles and colors. Different styles of graffiti emerged, such as "wildstyle", which is characterized by complex and highly stylized letters. -
The graffiti movement in New York was fueled by young urban artists, many of whom came from disadvantaged communities. Graffiti became a form of protest and a way to claim space in the city. However, graffiti was also considered illegal and vandalism by the authorities, leading to conflicts and repressive measures against graffiti writers. -
Despite the controversy and illegality associated with graffiti, its influence spread globally in the following decades. Famous graffiti artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, began to receive recognition in the mainstream art scene and their works were exhibited in galleries and museums. -
As graffiti became more accepted as an art form, new forms of expression emerged, such as mural graffiti, in which artists paint large murals in public spaces. In addition, graffiti culture influenced other artistic fields, such as graphic design, fashion and music. -
Today, graffiti remains a popular form of artistic expression in many parts of the world. Although there is still debate over its legality and appropriate placement, graffiti has proven to be a powerful form of communication and a means of addressing social, political and cultural issues.