Graffiti Art: A Q&A with Carlos Mar

Introduction

Graffiti as an art form has come a long way since its origins in the New York subway of the 1960s. It has evolved from a controversial and illegal act of vandalism to a celebrated art form. Carlos Mar, better known as Mare13, is one of the most notable graffiti artists of our time. In this Q&A, we’ll learn from the master himself the nuances of creating graffiti art, the different stages of complexity involved, and the challenges that artists face in legal and social contexts.

Q&A

Q1: Can you describe your journey into graffiti art?

Carlos: I started doing graffiti in the early ’90s in California. I was fascinated by the messages and the styles of the art form. It was something that spoke to me, something that gave me an outlet to express myself. At first, I started simply with a tag. I wanted to create a custom name for myself and start practicing how to stylize it. Eventually, I started to add more elements and complexity to my tags, and that got me hooked. Since then, I’ve been creating graffiti art for over 30 years.

Q2: Can you walk us through the different levels of complexity involved in creating graffiti art?

Carlos: Sure! The first level is a basic tag. It’s simply writing your name in a custom way. The next level is a throw-up or a “throwie”. It’s a quick and simple version of your name, condensed into a style that can be painted quickly and repeatedly. The third level of complexity is a bubble letter or a “softie”. It’s when you add curves and round shapes to your letters, making it more visually appealing.

The fourth level is a masterpiece. It’s a piece that takes a lot of planning, sketching, and endurance to execute. This can take weeks, if not months, to complete. The fifth level is “pieces,” which is a shorter and quicker version of a masterpiece. The sixth level is the background, which is as important as the letters themselves. The background sets the stage for the graffiti and makes it stand out.

Finally, the most critical part of creating graffiti art is the outline. It sets the structure and defines the shapes of the letters. It’s crucial to have high contrast and clean lines so that the name stands out.

Q3: What are some challenges that graffiti artists face today?

Carlos: Well, there are several challenges that graffiti artists face today. First, it’s finding a suitable wall or space to paint legally. Graffiti is still illegal in many parts of the world, and that makes it challenging to find the right space to paint. Second, graffiti can be physically demanding. It requires a lot of muscle memory and precise control of your body to create a masterpiece. Lastly, there is the challenge of getting your work recognized as art. Graffiti used to be considered as vandalism, but that view of it has changed over the years. Many graffiti artists are now celebrated as true artists.

Q4: Can you talk about the importance of finding your own style as a graffiti artist?

Carlos: Absolutely! Finding your own style is one of the most important aspects of creating graffiti art. It’s not just about writing your name; it’s about creating a unique and personal style that sets you apart from other artists. Your style communicates something about you, your identity, and your message. It takes a lot of practice and experimentation to find your own style, but it’s worth it in the end.

Q5: How has the emergence of digital graffiti affected the art form?

Carlos: The emergence of digital graffiti has had a significant impact on the art form. It has allowed artists to create and share their work on a much larger platform. Digital graffiti can be shared worldwide through social media, and it allows artists to work in different mediums, such as AR, VR, 3D print, and the metaverse. At the same time, digital graffiti can never replace the physical aspects of creating graffiti art, which requires muscle memory, endurance, and body weight control.

Conclusion

Creating graffiti art is an intricate and demanding process that involves multiple levels of complexity. Graffiti artists must develop their skills and unique styles to stand out in a sea of talented artists. With the emergence of digital graffiti, the art form has changed significantly and has spread beyond the physical boundaries. However, to truly appreciate and understand graffiti art, one must realize its roots in urban culture and its evolution into a celebrated art form.