Graffiti Art Styles

Book excerpt: This book presents a classification system for graffiti art styles that reflects the expertise of graffiti writers and the work of art historian Erwin Panofsky. Based on Panofsky's theories of iconographical analysis, the classification model is designed to identify the style of a graffiti art piece through its visual characteristics. Tested by image cataloguers in archives, libraries, and museums, the system assists information professionals in identifying the iconic styles of graffiti art pieces. It also demonstrates the power of Panofsky's theories to provide access to non-representational or abstract art images. The result is a new paradigm for Panofsky's theories that challenges the assumptions of traditional models. This innovative book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about graffiti art and for information professionals concerned with both the practical and intellectual issues surrounding image access.