Panopticon Obfuscation
Graffiti is seen as almost emblematic of
urbanism and seems well documented
from a popular culture standpoint. From
the perspective of the Occidental exurban
tourist, and in particular, the exurban
youth, graffiti and the idea of urban
culture is exoticized into an
anthropological tribe. The urban
creatures orientalized into a sort of
premier other- the twenty- first century’s
version of the oriental. Indeed, the credo
stressed in “street culture” is for one to
be “keeping it real” as if cultural authority
can be had or gained or attained when
performing certain rituals, listening to
authenticating “street” music or dressed
in the customary uniform. The idea of
graffiti melds with the concept of urban art
which itself molds with the regional
specific signature of the urban character.
There is seen this need like in rap or
urban culture to advertise the regional
uniqueness to each brand be they
marketed commoditized or superficially
created.
The concept of the billboard or marketing
devices as built environment has been
presented in Venturi’s sign or billboard as
architecture. The idea of authenticity or
regional authenticity and that of the
regional tribe, to some degree the urban
warrior/ soldier/hero, is in some ways the
connection to the pre-modern other or
the graffiti having similar display qualities
to iconographic runes seen with Egyptian
society- a Hegelian tribal society seeking
to imprint their presence as modern
society and modern life moves through or
past watching as if from a caravan or
natural reserve. Descriptive measures
that analyses urban art generally focus
on the mercurial, the stylization, etc..
Urban as urban runes and the exhibition
of urban artifacts is effective in so far as
art objects are made to be displayed in a
particular manner. Indeed, the most
effective graffiti and the most attention
can be devoted to the graffiti that is
placed in areas clear and hostile to these
marks. In these fields, with no other
marks to compete, the mark becomes
iconic symbol. Similar to art objects
graffiti is urban art in so far as to be
displayed appropriately, all manner of the
surrounding environment needs to be
carefully controlled. Ultimately, however,
whether through process of or perceived
urban neglect or tacit support, multiple
inscriptions from multiple sources begin to
appear. These icons then are put into
competitive mode and these competing
messages often vie for viewer attention.
In situations such as these, either one
icon stands out above the rest or, if they
are of similar parity, viewer attention is
overwhelmed by the icons as a whole
leading to an obfuscation of all
messages. Much of graffiti appears
drowned out and lost in a sort of white
noise.
Michael R. Tom
Spring 2005
Critic: Maria Sieira
