Graffiti revolution and urban environment

Abstract

The phenomenon of modern graffiti is difficult to theorise due to its complex and comprehensive nature. The article proposes to consider graffiti as a synthetic phenomenon that combines the artistic tasks of transmitting emotional states with the tasks of expressing social ideas (including protest and even revolutionary ones), as well as the tasks of communicating between different cultures – both cultures of different epochs and local cultures and subcultures of city dwellers. This approach is shown through the historical example of Mexican muralism. Based on the proposed approach, contemporary Arab graffiti, which received a strong impetus of development after the events of the Arab Spring, is considered.

Keywords

• graffiti
• architecture
• history
• Arab Spring
• Arab world