What is the difference between a tag and graffiti?

Do you want to know exactly how to distinguish a tag from graffiti? You want them to identify one as the other at first glance in order to establish your legitimacy within the large family of street artists? 

This has been several years that the team of Lofty Trend researches and studies the biggest urban artists and their artwork in order to answer this type of question. 

Tagging is a form of marking intended to quickly deface a wall or street furniture; it is often illegal. Graffiti, on the other hand, is a work of art in its own right, the creation of which is often regulated, and it requires more artistic skill and time. 

HAS the end of this Blog article you will learn about: 

• What are the characteristics of a tag and how can it be recognized?
• who is it Graffiti and how it evolved
• Their main differences in detail

Once you have finished reading, the crucial differences between tagging and graffiti will no longer hold any secrets for you. You will be able to distinguish them at first glance without any hesitation. Discover now the history of these two techniques and their differences.

What is a Tag?

Tagging is a technique that involves quickly writing a signature in a place frequented by the general public. Etymologically, this term comes from English and means label. 

THE graffiti artists Those who create it wish to leave their mark on a particular place. The aim of the latter is to show the artist's presence at this precise location. One can easily conclude that the tag has an identity-related purpose, as if the street The artist appropriates the surface on which the tag is created.

 

Who invented tagging?

The first tag dates back to 1942 and World War II, or a certain... Kilroy, a worker on an arms production line, wrote on the bombs " Kilroy was here " Following that, the American bombs were dropped bearing the first modern graffiti. Unfortunately, graffiti is rooted in the tragic context of war.

This story gained momentum later on, as this slogan became a patriotic motto and soldiers wrote their famous slogan everywhere they went. This story clearly illustrates the desire to mark territory and leave a visible trace without being caught. Legend has it that even Stalin said, "But who is this damned Kilroy?"

Since the tag doesn't to cease evolving not only through technology, but also through new artistic mediums emerging in the urban landscape.

Is graffiti an art form?

Today, these artistic creations are considered by most art experts to be an integral part of contemporary art. Although its aesthetic appeal is not universally accepted by the general public, the movement is indeed recognized as a legitimate art form. Let's now examine the main characteristics of graffiti.

What is Graffiti?

A graffiti piece is a work that requires much more time and uses different artistic techniques, the best known of which are spray paint , stencils or collage . 

This set of techniques allows the graffiti artists to obtain unique, one-of-a-kind murals , overflowing of creativity. At the same time, the notion of legality is increasingly being called into question. In Indeed, some Some cities are even going so far as to provide street artists with spaces dedicated to their creation. 

In the next part, you will understand how this artistic subset belonging to the street art was born.

Who created graffiti?

Specialists in street art agree that the official creator of modern graffiti is Darryl McCray acting under the pseudonym of Cornbread . The young man, who was trying to attract a woman's attention, started to graffiti the young lady's name all over the city .

His hometown of Philadelphia was so inundated with his signatures that the local press began to take an interest in this mysterious figure. Cornbread . The urban artist, aware of his growing notoriety, continues his illegal works, dragging many people into the mix. others vandal artists. 

Unlike tagging, these colorful murals are more elaborate, require more time, and employ a wide range of artistic techniques. Graffiti was just born, and with it the first modern street artist . 

Where did graffiti originate?

The first graffiti appeared in the United States in the 1960s. Although the rumors persistent, graffiti is not nee in New York but good in Philadelphia with Darryl McCray as you already know.

However, a few years later the movement began to take root in New York . With the rise of railways, street artists moved between cities and began to engage in a strange artistic war. As a result, many cities in the United States are seeing their urban landscapes become more colorful.

The fact that many people believe modern graffiti originated in New York is because the movement was particularly strong in the Big Apple. Of Furthermore, the city ​​at thread Over time, some of the world's greatest street artists have passed through, such as: Jean-Michel Basquiat , Keith Haring or even Andy Warhol. 

Is graffiti an art form?

Although controversial in the past, today there is no longer any doubt that graffiti is indeed a legitimate art form . The artistic techniques used, although often illegal, result in murals brimming with creativity.

Of more than Many works from this artistic movement are today bet auctioned off for astronomical sums, " Keep It "Spotless", a graffiti on paper Banksy was sold for $1.8 million. In this context, it is difficult to say that graffiti is not an art. 

Now that you know exactly what a tag and graffiti are, we will analyze the main differences between these artistic sub-domains.

Tag vs Graffiti: the difference

As we have seen, the two main street art movements share similarities in context, but also have differences. The primary differentiating factor remains the legality of this art form and its public recognition. In this final section, you will understand the aspects that define a painting as graffiti or a tag.

Is this art or vandalism?

For graffiti, which is increasingly done in a legal context these days, the answer is more controversial. Indeed, municipalities are beginning to appreciate urban art and are allowing certain graffiti artists to create their works in dedicated spaces. Tagging, by its very nature of marking a territory to which the artist is not invited, is on the contrary an act of vandalism and protest. 

From the perspective of art specialists, tagging and graffiti are both forms of modern artistic expression . However, unlike graffiti, tagging struggles to gain mainstream acceptance. Although it is becoming more widespread these days, many people don't particularly appreciate its raw form, which they consider dirty.

Graffiti and tagging are integral parts of Street Art.

Today, these two types Art forms such as tagging and graffiti are an integral part of the street art , although they have differences, the two are linked and share similarities. From their creation to their evolution, these two contemporary artistic movements bring colour to the urban space and are not about to stop.

Put graffiti on your walls without using spray paint.

As you have understood, graffiti and tagging do indeed present major differences. Although the latter two belong to the movement of street Their design and purpose are not the same. 

You now know how to differentiate them without any doubt and are part of the small circle of urban art enthusiasts who knew their real difference.

If you wish, you can hang the graffiti canvas right away, which will give your walls a magical touch. Click on the image below, and choose the artwork that will give your interior a subtle touch to your wall decor.