The Land of Graffiti

For me, Italy can be aptly called "The Land of Graffiti." Everywhere you go in Italy, you can find graffiti. While France also has its share of graffiti, it isn't as abundant as it is in Italy.

Graffiti enthusiasts argue that this art form brightens up the area, adding vibrancy and character. Although I appreciate the sentiment, my preference has always leaned towards clean and orderly surroundings, making it challenging for me to fully embrace graffiti. I have had to make a considerable effort to understand and appreciate it, given my inclination towards tidiness.

Historically, graffiti emerged as a medium for people to express dissatisfaction, spread revolutionary messages, share poems, or communicate secretly. In Italy, particularly in Rome, almost every wall is covered with various forms of graffiti. The walls are adorned with colourful letters and vivid drawings that are captivating in their own right. 

Everywhere you look, you can see spray-painted letters and drawings, not just on walls but also on shop doors and trash cans. While I struggle to understand and appreciate this casual defacement, I can't deny the sense of emotion that emanates from these walls. Even in languages I don't comprehend, these graffiti-covered walls evoke a sense of pain and suffering. Simultaneously, they also seem to embody a spirit of freedom and unrestrained existence, reflecting the residents' carefree attitudes, mixed with their anguish and desires for liberation.

There's a unique beauty in this unfiltered expression. The walls tell stories of their creators' worries, hopes, pain, and joy. When there's no one to listen, these individuals turn to walls to express their frustrations, anger, and the artistic creations they can't showcase elsewhere. I felt this deeply while walking through the streets filled with graffiti.

Writing graffiti on old walls brings a new, vibrant life to them. It's like giving an ancient wall a fresh coat of paint, breathing new creativity into it. Italy, with its centuries-old history, continues to stay alive through this artistic expression. Just as Michelangelo adorned the walls of iconic buildings with his renowned frescoes, modern generations add their own artistic touches, contributing to Italy's enduring brilliance.

In this way, Italy maintains its vitality, blending the old with the new in a continuous dance of artistic renewal. The country's long-standing traditions and historical richness are intertwined with contemporary expressions, keeping the spirit of creativity alive for all to see.

Please make sure that our environment is not destroyed by our actions.
-May Thoon Khit-