1. GRAFFITI – the symbol of our times,
art or vandalism?

2. It is not essential to be careful observer, to notice
captions and drawings appearing in all kind of
places, mostly done by teenagers.
Those captions and drawings seem to be
everywhere, especially in few past years.
W H A T A R E T H E Y ?
The act of vandalism, the work of
modern art or the symbol of our
times?

3. T h e a n s w e r m i g h t b e
s u r p r i s i n g -
It's the symbol of our times, expressed in
dynamic verbal or decorational form
appearing in all kinds of places and often
causing teporary or perm aesthetic
destruction of the object on which they are
situated.

4. Graffiti is the plastic way to express thoughts
and images which were born in our heads –
known from the Ancient times, now mainly
used by average artists – the graffiters. It's
very often put on walls, doors, buildings, in
general buildings, without permission of their
owners. Graffiti is very characteristic because
of its variety of topics – beginning with
political, social, religious, ending on artistic,
moral and erotic (very often involves vulgarity)
sometimes it's even satirical.

5. G r a f f i t i
It's all kinds of captions, signs painted on
buildings' elevations. To be honest, it's
everywhere - in subways, flyovers, railway
stations, on different heights, made in different
style, expressing different ideas. So this is very
common and we are used to it – it surrounds us
everywhere, everyday. Without any hesitation
it's a kind of art which repeatedly attracts
peoples attention in very surprising, in some
cases also positive way. Unfortunately graffiti is
usually put in wrong places, what obviously
makes it an act of vandalism.

6. G r a f f i t e r s
- are often called pseudo-artists. Is this proper? We can
judge it by looking at some of graffiters works. The big
disadvantage of their activity is the fact that they're more
and more self-confident, sometimes even ignorant and
irresponsible. They paint on churches and monuments.
Graffiters don't have any particular style when it comes to
clothing. Most of them wear baggy trousers, held with a
belt, blouses with hood and baseball cap.
Their independence, spontaneity and very specific way of
being is typical for them.
During legal painting actions they wear special uniforms
which contain pockets in which graffiters keep cans with
spray.

7. P o l i s h a n d
t h e i r a t t i t u d e
t o g r a f f i t i
Walking down the streets near our homes we're
passing walls and buildings with various kinds of
graffiti. Of course everyone has different opinion
about it.
Some of us call graffiters vandals, some of us
appreciate their artistic talent.

8. H o w t o r e a c t s e e i n g
g r a f f i t i ?
It's difficult to answer, because even the best graffiti which is put
on the building we live in without out permission is the act of
vandalism.
It would be necessary to educate teenagers and teach them to
appreciate public property and at the same time support and find
them places when they would be allowed to paint.
It's impossible to stop graffiters. Graffiti exists from times when
people lived in caves – people have a need for showing their
emotions and they'll never stop doing it.

9. One of the most important quesion is: What attracts
graffiters in painitng?
It's a reasonable question, considering the fact that
most of people don't understand this kind oh
behaviour. For them is just a crime and they don't see
any art in it.
Graffiters claim that their works make grey cities more colorful
and interesting. They may make someone smile or force to stop
and think about their hidden message.
The opponents wonder why those artists chose this way to show
their feelings. If they're really talented and creative, they could
choose another, less destructive way. Graffiters explain that it's
all about that thrill which is accompanied with doing something
illegal.
Maybe it's also about showing their independence and rebellion
against the rules.

10. H o w t o
c o u n t e r a c t
n e g a t i v e g r a f f i t i ?
Counteracting or rather erasing from walls already
drawn graffiti isn't so simple. Obviously there are companies
which earn on it and for the large amount of money which
city's department pay them are able to get rid of unwanted
paintings.

11. Graffiti is the problem appearing not
only in Poland, but in the most of world
countries. It's an international
controversial phenomenon.
It's impossible to put it in one category.
In some cases graffiti offends social
groups or other nations. It also causes
lack of money, because it's spent on
buildings renovations.

12. T h e d i c t i o n a r y o f g r a f f
i t e r s s l a n g
b-boy – breakdancer
backline (fineline) – the line between contour and background
battle – the fight between graffiters which shows who makes better
painting, is faster or who does the most of works.
bite – to copy someone's style
black book – the graffiter's notebook which contains sketches and
photos of works. prac
bomb; bombing – to paint illegaly
bubble style – round letters which look like bubbles
buff – to erase graffiti
caps – tips put on sprays which help to get wanted kind of lines (fat,

13. crew / clique – the group of friends who paint together
Fresh – original idea
going over – painting on someone's else work
hard core – illegal graffiti
highlite – gloss given to letters by drawing white lines
inline – the line between contour and filling
jam – a big contests which aim is to paint a big and long wall or to choose
the best graffiter
king – a person who's done most of the good works
masterpiece – the best paiting
outline – contour
piece book – a notebook with sketches

14. tag – personal graffiter's signature
toy (toy-begginer) – the beginner who doesn't have his own
style
wak – weak graffiti
whole train – train covered in graffiti
wild style – a style which is so modificated that it's difficult to
read
Writer – graffiter