Writing without Paper - Graffiti

Siek, Stem and Clark, & FlyID. (2022). Brooklyn mural dedicated to firemen who died on 9/11. Graffiti.Org. https://www.graffiti.org/911/heroes2.jpg.

This artifact is a graffiti mural located in Brooklyn, New York, after September 9, 2001. The creators' purpose of this graffiti is to be a memorial for the firefighter that died in the September 9 terrorist attack in 2001. (Art crimes: The writing on the wall, 2022) The creator wanted to honor and memorialize this public wall where people who come and go by it will see it and internalize the message conveyed. The tools used by the artist looks like it was painted. It is unclear whether the paint is from a can and brushes or spray. The function of this mural was to draw attention to the eyes of those who see so that they can be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice heroic firemen played on 9/11. The graffiti has the same function and is a sad reminder of our country's history.

University of Michigan. (2019). Graffito T11. Animal – Ram of Amun. Graffiti as Devotion. https://exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu/graffiti-el-kurru/zoom_t11.php.

This artifact is a temple graffiti made out of cut stone from Amun temple, which is around what we know today as Jebel Barkel. The creator of this graffiti had the purpose of depicting religion. It was created and displayed around a temple, and portraying a ram, a known God in that region, is significant. (University of Michigan, 2019) The tools used to create this graffiti had to be something sharp because their canvas was hard stone. At the time of its creation, it may have been a token in a place of worship. However, it is in a holy place, and a holy God seen by others may function as a reminder. The graffiti serves as a history of what the ancient people believed in religiously. Therefore, it continues playing a role as a sacred reminder to those around the site and is preserved today.

Jensen, M. T. (2019). Painting of Queen Qalhata (ca. 700 Bce) from her tomb at El-Kurru. Graffiti as Devotion. https://exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu/graffiti-el-kurru/afterlife.php#af.

This artifact is a painting of Queen Qalhata on a tomb wall in El-Kurru that was made around before the common area 700. (University of Michigan, 2019) The creators' purpose of this graffiti is most likely to honor the Queen who lies in her tomb. This painting has great colors that were most likely painted by some minerals around the area. At the time of its creation, the lady painted was royalty, and this image may have functioned as an area to bring sacrifices and gifts. Today, the graffiti represents Egyptian history and displays how royalty was treated after death. 

References

Art crimes: The writing on the wall. (2022, January 1). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/graffiti.org

University of Michigan. (2019). Graffiti as devotion along the Nile: El-kurru, Sudan. Graffiti as Devotion | Graffito T11.  https://exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu/graffiti-el-kurru/zoom_t11.php

University of Michigan. (2019). Graffiti as devotion along the Nile: El-kurru, Sudan. Graffiti as Devotion | Afterlife of Devotion. https://exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu/graffiti-el-kurru/afterlife.php#af