Responding to the New Graffiti Writing Culture: Broader Publics, Art Worlds, and the Sphere of Commodity Exchange

Abstract

This chapter extends the focus on post-1989 writing culture by exploring how broader publics and cultural institutions respond to contemporary graffiti. Contrary to the claims of political elites, it suggests that much of the public appreciate some forms of graffiti, especially the elaborate and colorful murals. Alongside growing public acceptance, graffiti has managed to carve out a small, but stable space for itself in the art world and is often incorporated into advertisements. While graffiti writers appreciate the benefits of such cultural incorporation, they are also aware of the dangers of being exploited within these commercial domains. As graffiti has been incorporated by art worlds and cultural industries, it also utilizes new communication technologies to further its own interests, which has spurred the consolidation of a global community of graffiti writers.