Welcome to the Mexican Graffiti page, Mexican Graffito. No folks I did not spell it wrong, graffito is actually the correct term for this
sort of "art". According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, graffito is "an inscription or drawing made on some public
surface... the plural graffiti is sometimes used with a singular verb as a mass noun... but this use is not yet as well established as the
mass-noun use of data... [graffiti] is less common and not standard." Well I'll be! I have been using the term "graffiti" all my life as
single noun and mass noun. Shame on me!
In any case, these photos are taken from a cab on my way back to the airport in Mexico City to go home. I am not sure where I was
really, so I can't give you anymore information. However, notice how similar Mexico's graffiti is to the US's graffiti. I have made some
notes on each picture to guide you.
sort of "art". According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, graffito is "an inscription or drawing made on some public
surface... the plural graffiti is sometimes used with a singular verb as a mass noun... but this use is not yet as well established as the
mass-noun use of data... [graffiti] is less common and not standard." Well I'll be! I have been using the term "graffiti" all my life as
single noun and mass noun. Shame on me!
In any case, these photos are taken from a cab on my way back to the airport in Mexico City to go home. I am not sure where I was
really, so I can't give you anymore information. However, notice how similar Mexico's graffiti is to the US's graffiti. I have made some
notes on each picture to guide you.
This is similar to the block-lettering and "graffiti script"
seen on walls across the US. This type of work is most
likely done in a hurry or by experienced artists. Note how
"KAPET" shows signs of creativity in the letter "p". This
may indicate that the artist uses this as a territorial marking
and may have done more extensive pieces elsewhere.
seen on walls across the US. This type of work is most
likely done in a hurry or by experienced artists. Note how
"KAPET" shows signs of creativity in the letter "p". This
may indicate that the artist uses this as a territorial marking
and may have done more extensive pieces elsewhere.
This is another example of block-lettering with an
added 3-D effect. I am not sure if the script
surrounding the lettering was written at the same time
to show who did what. However, this "piece" is not
very original and was perhaps done by a novice or
unskilled hands.
added 3-D effect. I am not sure if the script
surrounding the lettering was written at the same time
to show who did what. However, this "piece" is not
very original and was perhaps done by a novice or
unskilled hands.
This piece continues what seems to be a trend in the
area: large block-lettering of your street name across a
wall. This one however shows more creativity in the
style, but does not compare to some of the wild-styles
seen in US cities. Note how this piece, despite the
apparent artistic skill, uses two colors, black and
white, which may also be an area trend.
area: large block-lettering of your street name across a
wall. This one however shows more creativity in the
style, but does not compare to some of the wild-styles
seen in US cities. Note how this piece, despite the
apparent artistic skill, uses two colors, black and
white, which may also be an area trend.
This wall shows more skill and creativity. Notice how
the first two tags (from left to right) are colored and
have a distinct style. The next two are not as creative,
but display more skill than the previous exhibits. Since
this is a larger wall, tougher crews with more skill may
have the ability to display their work here rather than on
a wall of an auto place.
the first two tags (from left to right) are colored and
have a distinct style. The next two are not as creative,
but display more skill than the previous exhibits. Since
this is a larger wall, tougher crews with more skill may
have the ability to display their work here rather than on
a wall of an auto place.
Notice the small tag on the left next to the green doors.
Writing on walls that are already painted or tagged or
writing on business signs are not considered good
practice. It is apparent that this artist is not skilled,
does not have a specific crew or street name and must
resort to antics like this to get noticed. Many artists
who do this pay a price, especially if they write over
someone else's tag or piece.
Writing on walls that are already painted or tagged or
writing on business signs are not considered good
practice. It is apparent that this artist is not skilled,
does not have a specific crew or street name and must
resort to antics like this to get noticed. Many artists
who do this pay a price, especially if they write over
someone else's tag or piece.
Here is another garish example of the
local trend of block-lettering in black and
white. It looks atrocious, especially with
the aqua backdrop. The small green car
is a Mexico City taxi.
local trend of block-lettering in black and
white. It looks atrocious, especially with
the aqua backdrop. The small green car
is a Mexico City taxi.
Egad. The undeveloped skills in this picture are
embarrassing. It seems as if this wall is used for
practice or is left for the novice. Note how the tag on
the right, "BOTS", is done in line art. Usually, when
an artist does this, s/he is planning to do a piece later
on. I don't believe this is the case given the immature
representation of depth and size, not to mention style.
embarrassing. It seems as if this wall is used for
practice or is left for the novice. Note how the tag on
the right, "BOTS", is done in line art. Usually, when
an artist does this, s/he is planning to do a piece later
on. I don't believe this is the case given the immature
representation of depth and size, not to mention style.
I think the graffiti gets worse as we approach the
airport. These tags look older and a bit dated. They
are more square and may be similar to work done
in the US in the early 90s. They do however,
display more skill than the previous examples, but
lack in keeping the piece modern.
airport. These tags look older and a bit dated. They
are more square and may be similar to work done
in the US in the early 90s. They do however,
display more skill than the previous examples, but
lack in keeping the piece modern.
Not the best quality picture, this was supposed to
represent the usual scribble similar to those seen in
the US on walls of convenience stores,
supermarkets, playgrounds, and apartment
buildings (see "The Medical Office").
represent the usual scribble similar to those seen in
the US on walls of convenience stores,
supermarkets, playgrounds, and apartment
buildings (see "The Medical Office").
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Mexican Graffito