Evaluation

The focus of this project was on the use of graffiti and its functions in society and discussing the different sociological reasons and uses of graffiti. I found this subject to be particularly pertinent as it can be said that everyone has experienced graffiti in some form or another, whether as a bystander to someone else's graffiti or being someone actively involved in graffiti-ing themselves. A 'Grounded Theory' approach was attempted in conducting this research. Maintaining the clarity of the research had the potential to prove challenging as I have some previous knowledge concerning the underlying causes of criminality and deviance in other areas which may have had some relevance in this research.  Despite this, I remained in my attempt to maintain objectivity and to choose to use the images as my primary focus for extracting any trends. A stratified sampling technique was utilised. The aim of this stratified sampling technique was to focus upon the different geographical areas of Glenrothes in a bid to understand the various uses of graffiti and the relevance of the graffiti in each setting. 


 

Of the images featured in this project, a number of themes and discourses have become apparent. Interestingly, these themes can be linked with other aspects of the image, such as the type of graffiti and the location of the graffiti in the images. Many of the images were taken in the relatively disadvantaged areas of Glenrothes in comparison with other areas of the town - suggesting a poverty discourse. Merton's (1968) concept of anomie reflects this observation, citing an individual's failure to attain the 'value consensus' of their society through a lack of opportunity within the social structure. As such, a criminal lifestyle may be seen as the only viable option. It is, however, incorrect to assume that this act only occurs in disadvantaged areas, as a number of images were taken in more prosperous areas and in public areas, such as the Kingdom Shopping Centre.

Some pieces of graffiti are also prime examples of exhibiting masculine traits (Connell 1995; Messerschmidt 1993). Graffiti carried out by individuals or gangs bearing a name or slogan can often be used as a way of proving they are tough or cool. Gangs, in particular, may use this form of crime as a way of initiation into the gang. Masculine traits don't limit this act to males: females can also exhibit masculine traits through crime (Batchelor 2001; Batchelor, Burman & Brown 2001). The use of graffiti by gangs or individuals as a way of marking territory is also apparent. Pieces of graffiti featured in this project which seemingly have no structure or purpose can be just as effective in providing a sense of identity to the individual or group (Staiger 2005) as a piece which show a person's name or gang name.

Boundaries between what is deemed graffiti and what is graffiti "art" were also established with images gathered. The discourse of which graffiti is or isn't perceived as criminal could also be found within the project images. Graffiti "art", such as the community murals, which are organised pieces upon walls isn't deemed criminal due to it's official organisation by community and  governmental bodies; whereas an individual graffiti-ing upon walls or upon these murals would be deemed criminal. While many local and national authorities may take a zero-tolerance stance upon graffiti (Young 2010), graffiti may not be seen as a form of crime in some subcultures, such as the images of the skate park which has extensive graffiti in it. Another interesting area was the existence of a property discourse, defining what is "public" and what is "private" and how different properties may evoke different resposes from graffiti-ing individuals concerning the potential consequences of graffiti-ing a particular property. The existence of sets of rules within the "tagging" subculture was previously established in the project.

My experiences of this project were positive. The visual methodology of this project worked well. Due to the content of this project, using a visual methodology was the most beneficial way of conducting research and demonstrating different aspects of graffit-ing - which itself is a highly visual method of communication and expression. Although I was able to find various types of graffiti to illustrate various discourses using a stratified sampling technique, there were many other examples of graffiti outside of Glenrothes that I would've liked to have used but was not possible, due to my research proposal outlining a specific focus upon the town of Glenrothes. Additionally, due to the public location of graffiti, I often had to contend with the general public interfering in the taking of my pictures - although this was not a major issue. Nevertheless, this project examining the sociological reasoning and usage of graffiti was very interesting and worthwhile to conduct.

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References

Batchelor, S. (2001) 'The myth of girl gangs'. Criminal Justice Matters 43(1), 26-27

Batchelor, S., Burman, M., Brown, J. (2001) 'Discussing Violence: Let's Hear it From the Girls'. Probation Journal 48(6), 125-134

Connell, R. W. (1995) Masculinities. Cambridge: Polity Press

Merton, R. K. (1968) Social Theory and Social Structure. New York, NY: The Free Press

Messerschmidt, J. M. (1993) Masculinities and Crime: Critique and Reconceptualization of Theory. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield

Staiger, A. (2005) 'School Walls as Battle Grounds: Technologies of Power, Space and Identity'. Paedagogica Historica 41(4-5), 555-569

Young, A. (2010) 'Negotiated consent or zero tolerance? Responding to graffiti and street art in Melbourne'. City 14(1-2), 99-114