What is the influence of social media on graffiti? Through this thesis I try to answer that, basing it on Portuguese train bombing, an illegal form of graffiti performed on trains and subway cars. In order to explore this subject further I have looked at diverse fonts and forms of research, conducting four interviews, reading books about the matters, watching documentaries, exploring social networks and reading different articles.
At first, I explore the history of graffiti on a worldwide context and then in the Portuguese context. The next two chapters explain what has social media given and taken away from graffiti. Ending then in a brief analysis of everything I refer through the main body of this thesis and speculating about the future of graffiti.
Table of Contents
2. Introduction
10. #GraffitiHistory
18. #TrainBombing
26. #VandalsInControl
34. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This thesis investigates the influence of social media on the graffiti movement, specifically focusing on Portuguese train bombing. The research explores how digital platforms have transformed communication, artistic inspiration, and the perception of graffiti as both an art form and a criminal activity, while analyzing the evolving relationship between writers and digital documentation.
- History and evolution of graffiti in a global and Portuguese context.
- The impact of social media on the communication and growth of the graffiti subculture.
- The role of digital platforms in the "vulgarization" and accessibility of formerly secret graffiti knowledge.
- Surveillance, legal challenges, and the shifting public and official perception of train bombing.
Excerpt from the Book
#TrainBombing
I remember that in the first stages of my research I was debating about the presence of graffiti – train bombing on social media with two of my course mates and that they were incredibly surprised about my topic once they believed that existed very few on social media about graffiti on trains. I can tell you that months ago I used to agree on this, at least until I started exploring the subject there was very few that I had seen about graffiti on my usual social networks, although I believe this had to with the fact that one uses their social networks to see whatever they are interested on without expanding much further than that. In my opinion we all live in a very closed universe within the massive universe that is Internet.
Nonetheless once you explore this subject you will realize that there is so much more than what you imagined at first. So, assuming one knows very few about graffiti, the first time you go on Instagram to look for pictures of graffiti at first will most certain write #Graffiti and then once the search button gets hit the majority of images that will pop up will be nothing irrelevant to this subject, luckily enough within a thousand pictures a few will in some way be able to relate to the subject. But if one tries instead to search for #trainbombing, and I can assure that it wont show pictures of trains with actual bombs, one will have an entire gallery of pictures of trains with graffiti on it to scroll down and observe. As Campos mentions it, is an enclosed universe to those who see it from the outside.
Summary of Chapters
2. Introduction: The author outlines the personal motivation behind the research and the shift in focus towards the impact of social media on Portuguese train bombing.
10. #GraffitiHistory: This chapter covers the global origins of graffiti in the 1960s and 1970s and traces the history of the movement within the Portuguese cultural context.
18. #TrainBombing: This section analyzes how social media has facilitated a "closed universe" of communication among writers and how digital photography has made ephemeral graffiti permanent.
26. #VandalsInControl: The chapter explores the downsides of social media, including the vulgarization of the movement and the increased use of digital data by authorities for surveillance.
34. Conclusion: The author summarizes the findings, reflecting on the future of graffiti and the ongoing tension between digital connectivity and the preservation of subcultural authenticity.
Keywords
Graffiti, Social Media, Train Bombing, Portugal, Communication, Subculture, Digital Documentation, Surveillance, Vandalism, Art, Internet, Authenticity, Inspiration, Youth Culture, Urban Environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The thesis examines the influence of social media on the graffiti movement, with a specific case study on illegal train bombing in Portugal.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the evolution of graffiti, the impact of digital connectivity on subcultural communication, the loss of "mystery" in the graffiti world, and the legal repercussions of online self-documentation.
What is the core research question?
The primary research question driving this study is: "What is the influence of social media on graffiti?"
Which methodology was used to gather data?
The author employed a multi-faceted research approach, including literature reviews, document analysis, and four qualitative interviews with graffiti writers and representatives from the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) and the rail company (CP).
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body is divided into three sections: #GraffitiHistory (origins and development), #TrainBombing (the role of digital platforms in communication), and #VandalsInControl (the risks of public exposure and surveillance).
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is defined by terms such as graffiti, train bombing, social media, surveillance, subculture, and digital documentation.
How does the author characterize the "closed universe" of graffiti?
The author describes it as an environment where writers interact primarily with each other, using codified styles that are difficult for outsiders to understand, a dynamic that is now challenged by the public nature of social media.
What is the perspective of the interviewees regarding the future of graffiti?
The interviewees, including experienced writers like Risko, believe that while technology and law enforcement make the activity more difficult, the "addiction" and fundamental drive to create will ensure that graffiti continues to adapt and survive.
- Citation du texte
- Joana Sofia Correia Dias (Auteur), 2016, EGOTRIP. The influence of Social Media on Graffiti, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/424912
