What I choose as the focus of my project is the popular graffiti spots in St. Louis. I am a big fan of art especially graffiti, growing up on the Southside of Chicago where many buildings are covered with graffiti, it made me fall in love with that particular art. Ever since then I have always loved the uniqueness of every artistic piece, though some where related to gang violence, many other pieces where just an expression of art and extremely beautiful. What is important to me is the preservation of that beautiful art and the story it conveys about the artist.
The problem that arises from my observation is the negative stereotype graffiti gets for its effect on adolescence. It is often spoken how graffiti influences adolescence to turn to a violent lifestyle to fit it, because it is often associated with gang violence. It is looked upon as vandalism and criminal instead of expression and creativeness. The Mural Mile in St. Louis is a mile long wall filled entirely with graffiti of a variety of talented artist. This type of art is a way for people to connect with others within their community and culture. Not only is this a very popular locations but there is a multiple of graffiti location all around St. Louis.
My approach for this is a story map, to present the various popular graffiti spots in St. Louis, and to analyze whether the art is a showcase of expression or violence. In addition to whether these drawings bring negative impacts or positive ones to the community and influence the young minds within.
Primary Source: A piece from the Mural Mile https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53730949104_62b75d0d33_b.jpg
Secondary Source: Snelling, Grace. 2022. “Paint Louis celebrates 25 years of art and hip hop at the flood wall.” https://www.stlmag.com/culture/visual-arts/paint-louis-celebrates-25-years-of-art-and-hip-hop-at-the-flood-wall/