Calligraphy

Tomomi Kunishige has sincerely created an art out of an already long existing art. The most interesting part about her art is that she has made understandable to two people groups what is usually only understandable to one or the other. She has crossed a language barrier in art that calligraphy has not crossed before.

Her art, which she calls "ei-kanji" otherwise known as "English-kanji," has taken Japanese symbols and made English words out of them. Thus making the art readable to both English speaking people and Japanese speaking people. The fact that the Japanese do not have a large respect for art seems to frustrate Kunishige; however, she is now able to show her art to the world as the first to cross a major barrier. In fact, not only is her art a mismatch of English and Japanese, she dresses in a mixture of traditional Japanese kimonos and modern fashions.

It is her knowledge of the Japanese symbols that establishes the basis for her beautiful art. Unfortunately, she does realize that because her art is based on the similarities in English and Japanese, she will eventually run out of material for her art.

Talent in calligraphy is based off of awards won for the work produced. She has tried even stand up comedy in attempt to spread her name and bring attention to her art. This did not prove to be successful for her. Although Kunishige's work has been displayed on the walls of a Tokyo department store, for now, she finds it reward enough that people enjoy her work.

Calligraphy Finds a Shared Language

March 11, 2007|Bruce Wallace, Times Staff Writer

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/11/entertainment/ca-kanji11

Medieval Graffiti

In today's culture, graffiti is considered by most a criminal art defacing other's property.  However, when we look back to a culture and time much different than ours, we see that graffiti was used when paper was scarce. Medieval historians find it fortunate that some of this art is still available for our viewing and research, giving us a better understanding of the life and times, in which, they lived.

This brings up an interesting question.  Will our modern day graffiti be looked on differently a couple hundred years from now?  Unfortunately we will never know and can only speculate; however, these historians seem to take the view that spray paint on buildings, bridges, and benches does not have the same significance as that of the Medieval Period.

Cross find may be medieval graffiti

Herald, the; Glasgow (UK), Jul 29, 2010

Although we can give approximations for the graffiti that is found, historians can only make educated guesses as to when and why people create graffiti.  A cross found in Fife is thought to be religious graffiti carved into a stone by a pilgrim on a pilgrimage to Dunfermline Abbey.  The area where the presumed medieval graffiti was found was a popular route among pilgrims because it ran by the grave site of Saint Margaret in Dunfermline.  This is the leading factor that seems to influence the time frame and translation of the graffiti.

Hundreds of years after the stone is said to have been carved, it was used in the structure of a farm wall.  This cross marking was then discovered by a Dunfermline tourist guide three centuries after it was built into the wall.  We are now able to share in the discovery of this art, which is said to be medieval holy graffiti.

Historian Examines Medieval Graffiti at IMC
http://www.medievalists.net/2010/07/14/historian-examines-medieval-grafitti-at-imc

Graffiti Art

Although I strongly disagree with the nature and criminal part of graffiti in neighborhoods, I do believe that it is art.  I have seen the hard work and practice that goes into graffiti whether it is a full wall of pictures or simply a written message.  The writer of this article was correct with his historical arguments to an extent.  Graffiti has been used throughout the centuries, but to my knowledge and research it was never in contrary to the law and was for educational or cultural records.  Historically, paper was not a common part of everyday life.  0We have the benefit of paper and if paint can be afforded, paper shouldn't be a bank breaker.

I strongly disagree with the writer’s argument that Picasso or Monte would be accepted in society for painting on walls or other people's houses.  The law stands for a reason and for my personal possessions; I am pleased that they have been established.  If a building is property of another the art aspect of graffiti has gone out the window and fails to "outweigh" any laws.  I do agree that graffiti has been given a bad reputation due to the location of the majority of it.  So in this case, I have to agree that no matter what it is art, but should be displayed in a different, more courteous way.  I completely agree with the arguments against graffiti that include breaking of the law and a forced appearance on the neighborhood, but I think that when it comes to the art factor it should not be contested that it is art.

An Essay Concerning The Recognition of Some Forms of Graffiti As Art

George C. Stowers
gstowers@students.miami.edu

http://www.hiphop-network.com/articles/graffitiarticles/graffitiart.asp