Difference Between Graffiti and Street Art
Table of Contents
Art has always formed an important part of human civilization. Since the dawn of humanity, there have been artists in every generation of every era who have taken to their surroundings to express depictions of their talent and creativity.
Soon enough these expressions of art began to appear in places where everyone could see and admire them. They began to take a more important position and stand than just an expression of the artist’s thoughts.
Even now certain pieces of art may catch the viewer’s eye. The unique part about them is that they are on the walls of buildings and alleyways and the like. The main terms associated with this type of art are graffiti or street art.
Graffiti vs Street Art
The main difference between graffiti and street art is that graffiti is illegal, the artist who does graffiti usually does it in secret and can face legal consequences when caught, but street art, on the other hand, is done with permission from the authorities and often approved by them.
Comparison Table Between Graffiti and Street Art
| Parameters of Comparison | Graffiti | Street Art |
| Legality | Graffiti is illegal, it is not permitted by the authorities. | Street art is permitted by the authorities and the artists are even sometimes appointed by them. |
| Signature | Because being illegal, graffiti artists often remain anonymous or chose a different kind of name like a stage name that they sign on their work. | Street art is legal and sanctioned the artists often sign their art with their name. this also helps them with their own publicity s people can easily find and recognize them then from their work on the streets. |
| Time of Work | Again owing to the illegality of their work, graffiti artists usually choose to work at night or when their chosen place of work is deserted and empty. | Street artists can work in broad daylight without any interruption or restriction by anyone. |
| Functionality | Graffiti is used as a form of rebellion or expressing oneself without any boundary or opposition by the artist. Since it is illegal, they are not bound by any rules and they draw according to their wish. | Street art is done to serve a function mostly. Its main function is to amplify the beauty of a neighbourhood or a place and make it eye-catching. Thus, well-known artists are recruited for it and they do their job very well too. |
| Style | Graffiti artists rarely pay attention to how sophisticated or serene their work is, they use it more as a form of freely expressing themselves. | Street art is very sophisticated and always soothing and pleasing to look at. The artists put a lot of effort to make it look a certain way. |
What is Graffiti?
Graffiti in the most technical of terms can be defined as writings or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on the walls or any other such surfaces of public places. This is pretty self-explanatory.
Graffiti is a word-based art form and is older than street art. Graffiti has artists and writers who are self-taught and do not receive any special training. This style also shows in their art and expression of their works. It is not restricted by any rules and is more freely connected and representative of their thoughts.
Graffiti is often associated with vandalism and the artist who creates them is known as a writer. They often work in groups and use acronyms or pseudonyms as their signature instead of their real names. They often work at night or when their lace of work is deserted, to remain anonymous and not get caught.
It has different forms and styles, which are unique to the artist or crew and viewed accordingly. Graffiti can be often found overlapping each other as there is no universal systematic way of doing this. This is so because graffiti is illegal and often considered vandalism.
What is Street Art?
Street art is a form of art wherein art is made on the walls or other surfaces f buildings and other such public landmarks with permission and sanction of all necessary kinds granted. Street art is said to have been inspired by graffiti but in this case, the authorities call upon renowned and talented artists to do the work.
It is legal, more sophisticated and aims to enhance the feel and visual effect of the place. The artists can work in broad daylight. They sign with their names, which also helps their fans and followers to find them on different platforms.
The style is of street art is more sophisticated and classier and not often as dark as graffiti. It is serenading and beautiful to look at.
Main Differences Between Graffiti and Street Art
Conclusion
Graffiti and street art are closely related terms differing only in how legal they are. They may be often used interchangeably but they are different and easy to distinguish.
References
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