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l0uisebrooks t1_j5ttdbg wrote

Reply to comment by InvaderMixo in More painting over graffiti?? Art in Washington Heights subway tunnel covered up by Entire_Standard2969

Ancient Romans had walls in their home to scratch on. Point is, this is a thing some humans do, it has nothing to do with the time. ETA I don’t like tagging since that wasn’t clear.

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InvaderMixo t1_j5ua9vd wrote

If I remember my art history, 'grafitti' was specifically political messages written on walls in public spaces like the Roman Forum. I'm not so sure it would make sense for it to appear in people's residences.

We use the term now metaphorically to cover spray paint tags that are self-aggrandizing.

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l0uisebrooks t1_j5un6jg wrote

Self-aggrandizing graffiti is not new.

I’d encourage you to look into the long-standing practice, it’s fascinating. This article has some insight in what was found in Pompeii—https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/03/adrienne-was-here/475719/. Pompeii is such a great source because it was frozen in time; samples weren’t selected and passed down. The trashy bits remain.

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