Place Writing, Site Drawing: Researching Graffiti as a Critical Spatial Practice

Abstract

Graffiti have become integral parts of our urban landscapes in the past decades. Yet, they are increasingly treated as mere aesthetic objects or fleeting images. Moving away from the plural form, the subjects and the aesthetics of graffiti—with the latter being its most seductive and commonly abused characteristic—this chapter shifts the focus to their unique, material and situated character. This happens through a close study of three extensively graffitied sites in Athens city centre, the writings of which are being recorded. The way these sites are (re)presented is crucial in understanding each situation. The chapter is based on a series of drawings documenting the writings—and, by extension, the places—in multiple scales. Α series of associated terms emerging from the design explorations are being set up as potential frameworks of criticality that any subsequent researcher could apply in any situation. The aim is to introduce an urban design method of studying graffiti that brings together image and text, materiality and temporality, and consensus and dissensus. This chapter demonstrates how graffiti has the potential to reveal the multi-temporal dimension and multi-authored nature of urban environments whilst acting as a critical spatial practice.