VISION FOR A CHANGE
L'Officiel India|October 2020
From being a typical street art, involving the unauthorized marking of public spaces by an individual or group, to an artistic vision gaining attention for a social change, Graffitis have lately been transformed into visual means to define the modern urban landscape.
NIVEDITA GIRI
VISION FOR A CHANGE

Carrying a long history dating back to the times of the ancient Roman empire, this form of street art has been commonly associated with gangs, who used it for a variety of purposes, such as identifying or claiming territory, for memorializing dead gang members in an informal “obituary,” for boasting about acts (for example, crimes) committed by gang members, and for challenging rival gangs as a prelude to violent confrontations. Derived from the Italian word graffio (“scratch”), graffiti (“incised inscriptions”), these paintings were particularly prominent in major urban centres throughout the world, especially in the United States and Europe; common targets were subways, billboards, and walls.

Graffiti is a form of lettering. A graffiti artist spray paints his name or a symbol on a wall in the form of a stylised signature (which is often very colourful). In true spirit, especially in the Western sense of the term, this signifies ‘possession’ of the particular wall.

The heyday of graffiti was in the early 1980s, coinciding with the popularity of New York’s hip-hop culture, when gangs marked their territory with the spray can. That was also when it became a tool of protest in London and Berlin, around the time of the aerosol boom. Today, graffiti has become almost beautiful (even though it’s still illegal in most parts of the world). It has become a medium for artistic expression without restriction.

This story is from the October 2020 edition of L'Officiel India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2020 edition of L'Officiel India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM L'OFFICIEL INDIAView All
BOW DOWN! IT'S A COSMIC CANVAS!
L'Officiel India

BOW DOWN! IT'S A COSMIC CANVAS!

Art Enthusiasts, Prepare For An Egg-Citing Event! The Canvas In Question Hails From Fontana's \"Concetto Spaziale, La Fine Di Dio\" Series-A Captivating Exploration Of Depth, Light, And Space. Look Ahead, Why!

time-read
1 min  |
July-August 2024
SPEED DEMONS TURNING HEADS & BREAKING RECORDS!
L'Officiel India

SPEED DEMONS TURNING HEADS & BREAKING RECORDS!

It May Require A Skilled Hand To Fully Harness The Power, The Rewards For Well Worth Hyper Cars. So, For Those Seeking The Ultimate Driving Experience, We Have A Couple Of Cars That Delivers On All Fronts. Look Ahead!

time-read
7 mins  |
July-August 2024
Slaying THE STREETS!
L'Officiel India

Slaying THE STREETS!

Last Month, The Buzz Was All About ASAP Rocky Rocking \"American Sabotage's\" Debut Collection At Paris Fashion Week, But That's Not Where The Excitement Ends-Get The Scoop On The Latest Street-Style Must-Have Accessory That Stole The Show In Paris!

time-read
1 min  |
July-August 2024
Culinary - CULTURES ECHOING 'INBETWEENNESS'
L'Officiel India

Culinary - CULTURES ECHOING 'INBETWEENNESS'

The Pavlova We Got For You Dances On The Edge Of Audacity, Flaunting Its Camp Spirit And Celebrating With Unapologetic Flair. Imagine The Vibrant Hues Of A Pride Cocktail Swirling Through Delicate Meringue, Crowned With The Delightful Crunch Of Pink Pralines. Can't Wait Now? Dig In!

time-read
2 mins  |
July-August 2024
TAKE A MOMENT TO RECHARGE
L'Officiel India

TAKE A MOMENT TO RECHARGE

Before You Dive Headfirst Into Any Wild Bathroom Design Ideas, Check Out These Two Must-Have Trends You Won't Want To Miss!

time-read
1 min  |
July-August 2024
LIVING IN A POSTCARD AT ATLANTIS.THE PALM
L'Officiel India

LIVING IN A POSTCARD AT ATLANTIS.THE PALM

L'Officiel Has Taken A Splash At Atlantis, The Palm, And Let's Just Say We're At A Loss For Words To Describe This Incredible Experience! With 35 Individual Restaurants, Endless Water Sports, And Club-Hopping Galore, This Resort Truly Has It All. Make Sure To Carve Out Plenty Of Time Because This Is The Dream Getaway You've Been Waiting For!

time-read
4 mins  |
July-August 2024
Whisking THROUGH ITALY'S HIDDEN BLISS!
L'Officiel India

Whisking THROUGH ITALY'S HIDDEN BLISS!

We Raise Our Glasses In A Toast To A City From Where We Left With Our Hearts Full And Our Minds Brimming With The Unforgettable Snapshots Of This Enchanting Place. Can't Wait To Know All About It? Read Ahead!

time-read
7 mins  |
July-August 2024
FROM GREASY TO GLAM IN SECONDS
L'Officiel India

FROM GREASY TO GLAM IN SECONDS

In A World Where Everyone Seems To Have Perfectly Flowing Hair, Some Of Us Girlies Are Stuck Washing Our Hair Every Other Day Thanks To Our Overactive Oily Scalps. But Fret Not, We Have A Product - Let's See If Its Magic Is Still There Or Not.

time-read
1 min  |
July-August 2024
MAKE-UP' O CLOCK
L'Officiel India

MAKE-UP' O CLOCK

Summer Is All About Fresh Fruity Blush, And Berry-Stained Lips Are A Must. If You Are In, Join Our Club And Say Yes To Glam Every Hour!

time-read
3 mins  |
July-August 2024
The New CHAPTER
L'Officiel India

The New CHAPTER

Mixing Cultures Like A DJ, Creating A Musical Stew Of Global Beats! From Arabic Rhythms To Indian Vibes, Our Cover Star, Mariam Hussein's Lyrics Tell The Story Of Our Diverse World. Dive In To Groove To The Universal Language Of Music!

time-read
6 mins  |
July-August 2024