Run 90 Graffiti

One thing that gives NYC character is graffiti.  What is graffiti? 

graffiti noun

Form of visual communication, usually illegal, 

involving the unauthorized marking of public space by an individual or group. Technically the term applies to designs scratched through a layer of paint or plaster, but its meaning has been extended to other markings. Graffiti is widely considered a form of antisocial behaviour performed in order to gain attention or simply for thrills. But it also can be understood as an expressive art form. Derived from the Italian word graffio (“scratch”), graffiti (“incised inscriptions,” plural but often used as singular) has a long history. It has been found in ancient Roman ruins, in the remains of the Mayan city of Tikal in Central America, on rocks in Spain dating to the 16th century, and in medieval English churches. During the 20th century, graffiti in the U.S. and Europe was closely associated with gangs. Graffiti was particularly prominent in major urban centres throughout the world; common targets were subways, billboards, and walls. In the 1990s there emerged a new form of graffiti, known as “tagging,” which entailed the repeated use of a single symbol or series of symbols to mark territory.

Wikipedia says, "Graffiti in New York has had 

a country-wide and perhaps even international influence. Originating in the New York City Subway and spreading beyond it, it has only recently became more tolerated by the city's authorities and recognized as an art form, as in its first years it was seen as an act of vandalism."

There's a wide variety of graffiti in NYC.  It ranges from huge artists murals, to tagging your name, to advertisements.  

Some graffiti is beautiful, 

some ugly,

some political, 

some artistic, 

some crude.

  

At times it enhances it's surroundings, other times it defaces it. Recently I ran across the Manhattan bridge and was blown away by the amount of graffiti.  It was really a tremendous sight to see.  I've been planning to talk about graffiti at some point and today's run gave me the perfect opportunity.  I was down on the lower east side and every where I looked was tagged or had huge murals painted on the walls.  It made my run very enjoyable.  Enjoy some shots I've snapped of graffiti all around NYC.

 

Time: midnight
Distance: 7.37 miles
Time: 1:02:30
Music: Alanis Morissette