Graffiti in Maboneng, Johannesburg
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GCRO OCCASIONAL PAPER # NO. 13 Where do we draw the line? Graffiti in Maboneng, Johannesburg MARCH 2019 Researched and written by Alexandra Parker, Samkelisiwe Khanyile and Kate Joseph A Partnership of: WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? GRAFFITI IN MABONENG, JOHANNESBURG March 2019 e-ISBN: 978-0-6399364-4-4 All images unless stated: Alexandra Parker ISBN: 978-0-6399364-3-7 All maps: Samkelisiwe Khanyile Written by: Alexandra Parker, Samkelisiwe Khanyile Copyright 2019 © Gauteng City-Region Observatory and Kate Joseph Published by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory Peer reviewer: Dr Kirsten Harrison (GCRO), a partnership of the University of Design: Breinstorm Brand Architects Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand, Cover Image: Lala V Johannesburg, the Gauteng Provincial Government Where do we draw the line? Graffiti in Maboneng, Johannesburg ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GCRO would like to extend its gratitude to Dr Kirsten Harrison, who provided valuable feedback and comments through a blind peer-review process. We would also like to thank Louise Oppenheim for a copy-edit of the work, and Simon Chislett for so ably steering this through the final production process. GCRO OP#13 | WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? GRAFFITI IN MABONENG, JOHANNESBURG Contents Acronyms, abbreviations and terms ........................................................................................................................................................................................4 ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................ 6 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................... 8 THE HISTORY OF GRAFFITI .................................................................................................................. 12 Defining graffiti and street art .......................................................................................................................................................................................12 The origins of graffiti and modern graffiti ...............................................................................................................................................................13 History of graffiti in South Africa ................................................................................................................................................................................16 THE PRACTICE OF GRAFFITI ................................................................................................................ 18 Graffiti as a form of expression and identity ...........................................................................................................................................................18 Graffiti as vandalism and urban blight ......................................................................................................................................................................19 Urban policies and management of graffiti .............................................................................................................................................................22 THE AESTHETICS OF GRAFFITI ............................................................................................................ 24 Graffiti as art ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 The city as canvas ................................................................................................................................................................................................................25 The commodification of graffiti ....................................................................................................................................................................................28 Graffiti as urban dialogue ................................................................................................................................................................................................30 2 GCRO OP#13 | WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? GRAFFITI IN MABONENG, JOHANNESBURG MABONENG AS A CASE STUDY ............................................................................................................ 32 Method ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 History and context ............................................................................................................................................................................................................37 Urban regeneration in Johannesburg ........................................................................................................................................................................38 Maboneng as a creative cluster or city .......................................................................................................................................................................40 A PHOTO ESSAY: GRAFFITI IN MABONENG ........................................................................................ 42 Temporality ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Mixed media and surfaces ...............................................................................................................................................................................................48 Scale and identity.................................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Advertising and signage ...................................................................................................................................................................................................62 Public art ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................69 Engagement and meaning ...............................................................................................................................................................................................77 GRAFFITI IN MABONENG ..................................................................................................................... 88 Types of graffiti .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Spatial analysis and mapping of graffiti ...................................................................................................................................................................98 Graffiti and the creative economy ................................................................................................................................................................................102 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................ 104 References ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................106 About the authors .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 3 GCRO OP#13 | WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? GRAFFITI IN MABONENG, JOHANNESBURG Acronyms, abbreviations and terms 3D Three-dimensional ANC African National Congress CBD Central Business District CID City Improvement District CoJ City of Johannesburg GCR Gauteng City-Region JDA Johannesburg Development Agency NYC New York City UK United Kingdom US United States 4 GCRO OP#13 | WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? GRAFFITI IN MABONENG, JOHANNESBURG Black book Books where graffiti creators draft or jot down ideas; these are similar to sketch books. Bomb When graffiti artists tag or paint over another artist’s piece. Formal/ traditional Art, commonly paintings or sculpture, found in gallery spaces. art forms Graffiti Graffiti refers to public writings or expressions found in a variety of spaces and surfaces, from toilet cubicles to bus stops and large walls. In this paper, we use the term to refer to modern graffiti, frequently created using spray paint, but the term also encompasses street art which includes a wider spectrum of media and types of art. Graffiti styles All terms used to describe different graffiti styles such as throw-up, blockbuster, heaven, masterpiece, wildstyle, etc. Hip hop A culture including