Visions of protest: Graffiti

Introduction

What is graffiti? Is it art, vandalism or a form of popular protest? This course, which is based on materials from Y031, the Open University’s Arts and languages Access module, introduces you to contrasting understandings of graffiti. It draws on a wide range of different examples of graffiti, including mystery zebras in Hackney, fish graffiti in Morecambe, ‘tags’ in a Milton Keynes underpass, a McDonald’s advert and exhibits at a highly established art gallery, the Tate Modern. You will consider different arguments for and against the perception of graffiti as a form of art or as vandalism. You will furthermore explore how graffiti has been used as a form of communication and as an articulation of protest.

This OpenLearn course provides a sample of level 1 study in Arts & Humanities [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]