Overview

Unprecedented in scope, this book is the definitive story behind the most explosive and influential art form of the last 100 years. The book traces the evolution of the style from its early freight train days to its big-city boom on the streets of New York City and Philadelphia to its modern-day influences, and features profiles and behind-the-scenes stories gleaned from over three-years' worth of interviews with graffiti's most prominent names as well as its lesser-known pioneers. Authors Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon provide an insider's perspective on the most popular trends and styles that have dominated the scene for the last 50 years, and provide a thorough examination of the regional differences among major American hubs - New York, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Chicago - and under-the-radar scenes in cities, like Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, New Orleans, and Albuquerque. THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN GRAFFITI is packed with over 1000 photographs-the majority of which have never before been seen - from more than 200 photographers, most of whom also created the artwork. The authors have spent the better part of the last five years interviewing key figures in the graffiti world throughout America - from the bedrock cities of New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles to the lesser-known, but equally important hotspots of Cleveland, Baltimore, and Phoenix. Approximately 90 percent of the art in this book has never been published, and was sourced directly from the artists who lived the scene, giving the book a raw street vibe as authentic as the history it documents. The foreword is by legendary graffiti artist, Taki 183. Considered one of the founding fathers of the graffiti arts movement, Taki 183 has never before contributed writing to any book or newspaper/magazine article on the subject. Next year, 2011, marks the 40 anniversary of the 1971 New York Times article written on Taki 183- Taki 183 Spawns Pen Pals -that ignited the movement in New York City and cast Taki 183 as the world's first famous graffiti artist. His official Web site is http://taki183.net. List of Featured Cities/Areas: Albuquerque, NM Atlanta, GA Austin, El Paso, Houston, and various neighborhoods, TX Baltimore, MD Boston, MA Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Denver, CO Detroit, MI Elizabeth, Jersey City, and various neighborhoods, NJ Honolulu, Pearl City, HI Los Angeles, CA Madison and Milwaukee, WI Miami, FL Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Pittsburgh, PA Portland, Eugene, and various neighborhoods & areas, OR Providence, RI Richmond, VA San Diego, CA Seattle, WA The Bay Area, CA Washington, D.C.

Full Product Details

9780061698781

Table of Contents

Reviews

The History of American Graffiti is the first truly comprehensive history of graffiti's secretive, illegal culture. --Shephard Fairey, artist 'Wild style' graffiti may be the most influential art movement since pop art. Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon have written the definitive history of the origins of the graffiti styles that emerged in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles in the early 1970s and inspired young artists around the world. --Jeffrey Deitch, director, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art If there were a college course on graffiti, this would be its textbook, but these stories are more fun than academic: The History of American Graffiti also supplements a degree from the school of street smarts. --Shepard Fairey, artist Graffiti is a much-maligned and misunderstood social movement, which I am proud to be a part of. This book offers the definitive perspective on graffiti-finally, we have a historical textbook for the most colorful art form modern society has known. --David Arquette, actor This book is a much-needed celebration of a true American art form-graffiti writing. Whether you love or hate graffiti, this book breaks down the history of this controversial art. Learn about this important movement-cop this book! --Alain KET Maridue?a, author, Graffiti Planet, Rockin' It Suckers, and Graffiti Tattoo When the American graffiti movement emerged, it was 'outsider' art, youth art, and public art all at once. It shattered racial and economic segregation and provoked political and generational reprobation. Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon's The History of American Graffiti is as sweeping, provocative, and monumental as the movement itself. --Jeff Chang, author, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

'Wild style' graffiti may be the most influential art movement since pop art. Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon have written the definitive history of the origins of the graffiti styles that emerged in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles in the early 1970s and inspired young artists around the world. --Jeffrey Deitch, director, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art Graffiti is a much-maligned and misunderstood social movement, which I am proud to be a part of. This book offers the definitive perspective on graffiti-finally, we have a historical textbook for the most colorful art form modern society has known. --David Arquette, actor If there were a college course on graffiti, this would be its textbook, but these stories are more fun than academic: The History of American Graffiti also supplements a degree from the school of street smarts. --Shepard Fairey, artist The History of American Graffiti is the first truly comprehensive history of graffiti's secretive, illegal culture. --Shephard Fairey, artist This book is a much-needed celebration of a true American art form-graffiti writing. Whether you love or hate graffiti, this book breaks down the history of this controversial art. Learn about this important movement-cop this book! --Alain KET Maridue?a, author, Graffiti Planet, Rockin' It Suckers, and Graffiti Tattoo When the American graffiti movement emerged, it was 'outsider' art, youth art, and public art all at once. It shattered racial and economic segregation and provoked political and generational reprobation. Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon's The History of American Graffiti is as sweeping, provocative, and monumental as the movement itself. --Jeff Chang, author, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

When the American graffiti movement emerged, it was 'outsider' art, youth art, and public art all at once. It shattered racial and economic segregation and provoked political and generational reprobation. Roger Gastman and Caleb Neelon's The History of American Graffiti is as sweeping, provocative, and monumental as the movement itself. --Jeff Chang, author, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available