Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and ArtLong before graffiti was adopted as the visual expression of hip-hop culture in the 1980s, Chicano gang members in East Los Angeles had been developing stylized calligraphy and writing on walls. Cholo (gangster) scripts became the first distinctive letter forms to evolve in the modern vernacular tradition of graffiti writing. Today Los Angeles writers of diverse backgrounds draw from a unique confluence of cultures that has led to regionally distinctive styles. This book provides a comprehensive and visual history of graffiti in Los Angeles, dating back to the 1930s, as well as an in-depth examination of the myriad styles and techniques used by writers today. Complementing the main text, interviews with L.A.'s most prolific and infamous writers provide insight into the lives of these fugitive artists.--From publisher description. |
Common terms and phrases
all-city Angeles Arroyo Seco Artist District ASYLM ATLAS Ayer Baba Belmont Tunnel BESK BLVD bombing characters CHARLIE CHAZ color Commerce yard creative crew members developed Downtown early East L.A. East Side Eklips EWOK fat cap formed freeway gallery gang Gkae going graff graffiti writers guys hip-hop Hollywood Huntington Beach illegal influence inspired James Prigoff kids KOFIE KRUSH L.A. graffiti L.A. River L.A. style Latino letterforms letters look MEAR Melrose Mid-city Motor yard mural neighborhood Pan Pacific Auditorium PANIC Park piece production respect RETNA REVOK RISK SABER San Fernando Valley Sanborn yard Serreno shit SINER Skate Skept sketch Skill South Central spray paint spraycan started street stuff style Sumet SWANK there's things throw-ups tips TOONS TYKE Valley Venice Pavilion West Coast West Side wildstyle York ZUCO