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Graffiti is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as "a form of visual communication, usually illegal, involving the unauthorized marking of public space by an individual or group. Although the common image of graffiti is a stylistic symbol or phrase spray-painted on a wall by a member of a street gang, some graffiti is not gang-related. Graffiti can be understood as antisocial behaviour performed in order to gain attention" It is also a form of art.

Using this loose definition I would say graffiti has been around as long as man. We used to paint on the walls of caves as part of our spirituality, and chipped designs in rock faces as a means of communicating our presence to others.

Admittedly ancient man didn't have laws to protect or even the concept of "private" ownership of space, but I'm thinking the "need" to "make our mark" has been with us since the dawn of man.

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16y ago

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