New Haven, although be it a small town, Has attracted and spawned many graffiti writers. Silencer was the first person to really turn me onto graffiti but now I know alot of the "Kings" and originators of style in this town. I've heard some awesome stories as well as those of a scene defeated and lost to the fears of being arrested. I think its also hard for some to draw the line (no pun intended) between their professional art careers, and private lives, and bombing or hitting illegal spots.
SketOne once told me that the cops started watching the Acme wall so he had to rethink bombing and piecing. From what i gather it was one of these old school writers uncles that had given permission to use the 9th square (parking lot next to cafe 9) wall to paint, bringing in kids from all over CT and most likely from out of state as well. Sket also told me that another writer had been caught at a spot known only as the "funkyard" and that they had siezed his blackbooks and computer as well as any pictures and other "evidence" he had in his house. I'm sure it was hard for everyone involved to make the call but Graff had to go underground in the 90's so writers could survive.
There were still a number of old murals and relics around town but it seems that new businesses (as is the case with Ctown painting over the FX Crew Mural!) as well as the younger generation of "writers" have all but wiped these works out. At this point theres probably only three or four spots that Remain intact along with a few hints of what used to be along the trainlines and scattered through various industrial areas. Its sad to think that it will all be lost.
Now many young kids start out tagging but become lost and just rep gangs. While painting a chill spot under the highway recently a group of probably 12 year olds, give or take came through with dollar cans "repping G.M.C." asking to paint over what i was still working on and a friend had just finished. its becoming territorial, its going to get like the munies in sf where "crews" just tag in broad daylight and intimidate with their numbers. I think its all because what was once embraced and community oriented is becoming commercialized and the outlaw nature is being glorified as it is in modern day "Rap music".
Some say Graffiti died, Hip Hop died, Peace died. I think its peoples wills that are dying, instead of viewing expression as just that its being judged on economic and social terms. and theres now a negative conotation towards the words graffiti, writer, tagger, etc. I've always believed that if society judges people by classes or in a certain light then thats what it gets in return- another generation saying "Fuck it! whats anyone ever done for me?" What i've seen while being out alone in the depths of the urban environment is the waste tossed out, old buildings being left to decay, people living in shantys and youth running lost in the streets.... and graffiti is responsible for none of this, its more of its own social commentary. heres some more pictures from a recent legal wall provided by Demo TSB BLT
