on the cover / By Maxwell Schnurer

Rural and Rebellious

Graffiti in Humboldt

(Nov. 29, 2007)  There is something radical in making beautiful art in the abandoned parts of our public space, vulnerable not only to the elements but to any art critic or competitive painter. Imagine spending hours on a painting only to find it scrawled on, or painted over by the next muralist, or your medium simply demolished. The galleries of art that line the abandoned buildings and overgrown paths of Humboldt County showcase an authentic American art tradition.

The graffiti street art in Humboldt County is distinguished despite the rural surroundings. I think this is because of the influx of newcomers who might study art at a university or bring graffiti experience from larger cities. It is also an area supportive to art and artists, and combined with the allure of a distinguished outlaw tradition, graffiti is a popular means of expression in the area.

GALLERY >

The outlaw status means that graffiti is illegal. California has one of the most serious penalties for people caught painting — repeat offenders face lengthy prison sentences for graffiti art. Because it is against the law, graffiti artists paint in the middle of the night and craft painting techniques to avoid detection.

In part because of the illegality, some of the best representations of the art are exiled to the abandoned periphery where artists can have the time to create cement masterpieces. The graffiti in Humboldt is artistic, political and representative of community arguments.

This is an article of critical appreciation — a documentary photo essay intended to present graffiti as influenced by the culture and geography of the North Coast. This essay starts with signature tags which are ubiquitous in most city blocks, examines the evolution to stickers and stencils, considers the dispersal of graffiti methodology via trains, explores the often whimsical art on the slabs of concrete and discusses legal graffiti spots.

1. SYSTEMATIC SCRAWLS:
Reexamining Tagging

When talking about tagging people usually want to know why someone would write their nickname a dozen times on the same bathroom wall. I usually point to the ubiquitous repetitive advertising brands which surround most stores, sports arenas, theaters, television programs and fast food spots.

Tagging is intentional. It communicates a message (often multiple messages), and is intended to catch our attention. The easiest comparison is advertising. It seems like the saturation approach of tagging graffiti should blend easily with our well-branded lives. But graffiti goes on surfaces not owned by the writer.

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