INDIGO Graffiti Thesaurus

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> calligraffiti (style)
Styles and Periods <facet> > Styles and Periods <hierarchy name> > styles, periods, and cultures by general era <guide term> > styles (graffiti) > calligraffiti (style)

Preferred term

calligraffiti (style)  

Broader concept

Entry terms

  • calligraffiti
  • calligraffito
  • calligraffito (style)

History note

  • The term "calligraffiti" has been used in various contexts, but it gained prominence when Dutch artist Niels Shoe Meulman used it as the title of his solo exhibition in 2007. He described calligraffiti as "traditional handwriting with a metropolitan attitude," a way of translating the art of the street to the interior of museums, galleries, and apartments. However, the use of the term predates Meulman's contributions by at least thirty years. It was used by Canadian painter Brion Gysin in his final exhibition, "Calligraffiti of Fire," in 1986, and in a book about post-modernism by H.L. Hix in 1995. Jordanian artist and art historian Wijdan Ali also used the term in her book, "Modern Islamic Art: Development and Continuity," (1997) to describe a style of art that had been flourishing across the Middle East and North Africa from the mid-20th century.

Belongs to group

Creator

  • Jona Schlegel
  • Stefan Wogrin

Editorial note

  • "Calligraffiti" is a unique fusion of calligraphy, typography, and graffiti, which can be categorized as either abstract expressionism or abstract vandalism. This art form integrates letters into compositions that aim to communicate a broader message through aesthetically altered writing, transcending its literal meaning. It is a conscious effort to transform a word or group of words into a visual composition, providing both an aesthetic experience and provocative art.

URI

https://vocabs.acdh.oeaw.ac.at/indigo/calligraffitiStyle

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