This book presents a classification system for graffiti art styles that reflects the expertise of graffiti writers and the work of art historian Erwin Panofsky. Based on Panofsky’s theories of iconographical analysis, the classification model is designed to identify the style of a graffiti art piece through its visual characteristics.
Tested by image cataloguers in archives, libraries, and museums, the system assists information professionals in identifying the iconic styles of graffiti art pieces. It also demonstrates the power of Panofsky’s theories to provide access to non-representational or abstract art images. The result is a new paradigm for Panofsky’s theories that challenges the assumptions of traditional models. This innovative book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about graffiti art and for information professionals concerned with both the practical and intellectual issues surrounding image access.

Lisa Gottlieb is a graduate of Wellesley College, the University of Chicago, and the University of Toronto. Her articles have appeared in the Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, American Studies, Library Quarterly, and other journals.

Lisa Gottlieb
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 220
Bibliographic Info: tables, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2008
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3436-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5225-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi

List of Tables      vii

List of Figures      viii

Preface      1

Introduction      5

1. A New Paradigm for Panofsky’s Theories of Iconographical Analysis      15

2. Graffiti Art in an Iconographic Framework      33

3. Graffiti Art in a Classificatory Framework      52

4. Developing the Faceted Classification System for Graffiti Art Styles      76

5. What Image Cataloguers Saw      105

6. Panofsky’s Theories and the Question of Nonrepresentational or Abstract Art      138

7. Graffiti Art Lessons      158

Appendix A. Questionnaire for Graffiti Art Experts      165

Appendix B. Faceted Classification System for Graffiti Art Styles      175

Chapter Notes      199

Selected Bibliography      207

Index      211