South Africa: Graffiti Is an Eye-Catching Way to Create Lively Spaces in Cities

analysis

Whether it's tagging (the stylised writing of an individual or crew's name), posters, stickers, installations, murals or mosaics, graffiti has always been a contentious issue. Countries like the US, UK and Australia have adopted aggressive - and expensive - strategies to try and eradicate graffiti.

But not all cities view graffiti as a bad thing. Over the past few decades, it's increasingly become part of mainstream culture. Some places have actively promoted graffiti and encouraged artists to work in public spaces. Others, like Bogota in Colombia, have introduced legislation that aims to promote the responsible and legal practice of graffiti. In Singapore, the state has designated specific surfaces for graffiti.

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