Style Wars

I think its interesting how the directors used film techniques to show both sides to Style Wars in the sense that the film depicts both stories. With two opposing groups, we are able to clearly see the situation, as well as the pros and cons of the issue. The documentary alternates between the stories of the graffiti artists and the politicians and parents of the artists, which in way really does prove the whole situation to be a "style" war. In one situation, one of the teenage boys was explaining why it was important to tag his name "all city," while his mother was sitting right next to him. The mother obviously had a disapproving opinion. Where her thoughts agreed more with the mayor of the city, in which, graffiti, then takes on an entirely different meaning. Graffiti, to the artists is their own art form, similar to calligraphy. Names, styles, and drawings become one artists' culture, but to the authorities, it is vandalism. Graffiti with negative connotations, imply a life of crime. It degrades the living system of one place and creates a negative atmosphere for the city. The colliding views show an interesting interception between the black and whites, and forms a gray scale, in which the viewer becomes the judge in seeing what is art and what is vandalism.

Using various film techniques, we as viewers, are able to take a step into the time period where graffiti art was at its peak. I think one of the more interesting techniques was the director's choice in filming the daily lives' of the graffiti artists. In which, Tony Silver, shows the culture at that time for graffiti artists. Hip-hop dance was a big part of the culture, as well as rapping. Depicting scenes where the artists gather around  to have dance offs and rapping sessions show the culture and the standards of living for this group of people. Graffiti, then takes on a new meaning. It becomes more than an art form. Graffiti becomes their culture, their way of living. This opens up new questions on the "blacks and whites" of graffiti. There is truth in what the mayor says, but there is also truth to what the artists say. Graffiti cannot be simplified to vandalism, but it also cannot be fully considered an art form. It is not in form itself, but in the act, that causes indifference in society.

Source: Photo