GRAFFITI ALLA PALERMITANA – PART TWO OF FOUR

Below is a glossary out of Canberra that describes nine basic styles of graffiti. I had no idea there were so many, nor did I ever imagine the graphic language was so international that I could read all nine here in Palermo. Here’s the list, but since a picture is worth a thousand words, check out the website for the visuals: Canberra Styles.

1. Tag (equivalent to gang member leg-lifting)

2. Throw-Up (elaborate tagging; think NYC subway cars)

3. Blockbuster (YUGE throw-up)

4. Wildstyle (a hard-to-decipher throw-up)

5. Heaven (waaaay up high, like the mural above, a take-off on Mike McCurry's haunting photo of a green-eyed Afghan girl)

6. Stencil (just what you think it is)

7. Poster (paste-up, ditto)

8. Sticker (slap; not to be confused with ads for hauling or house cleaning)

9. Piece (short for masterpiece)

But since this post is about graphics, here is the second installment of Graffiti alla Palermitana. I leave it to you to identify the styles and their mash-ups.

DEDICATED TO PALERMO WITH TOPTEN RIB-HEMA IIPOPII

"You shout. You abandon yourself. Ballaro [Market] is magic."

"For Monica, Eliana, Sharon and Georgia"

"Enough with the Plastic in the Sea!"

"Santa Morte" (Saint Death)

This one says, “The government also kills in the summer. 630 dead in the Mediterranean in June '18 alone.” It’s a wordplay on an Italian comedy film titled, “The Mafia Only Kills in the Summer.” Except this isn't funny.

Keep it real!

Marilyn

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