60s & Further Guest Photojournalist

Gilbert B. Weingourt

60s Graffiti Gallery

"During the Vietnam war there were many expressions of antiwar sentiment. Often they took the form of graffiti on any accessible flat service, usually the side of buildings. I was drawn to this particular wall not only because of the statement it made but also because of the eloquent yet simple presentation. I photographed them in the hopes that one day I would colorize them in a way that would be reminiscent in the Mexican Folk Art of the forties. Little did I realize at the time that more than thirty years later I would be able to accomplish this with a computer."

"When I was in New York (1969) there would be paintings on the walls of buildings created by the community.

Many of them were created by parents and their children 1969."

-Gilbert B. Weingourt-

The Sounds Of Silence

By Simon and Garfunkle

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence
__________________

Graffiti

The word "graffiti" is derived from the Latin word "graphium," which means "to write." It was originally used by archaeologists to describe drawings and writings found on ancient buildings and monuments in Pompeii, Egypt and in the Roman catacombs. The most basic definition of the term "graffiti" is "inscriptions or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a surface, originally as inscribed on ancient walls.

"While Graffiti iconography has been around since Egyptian times, it was not until World War II, that one name became identified with Graffiti.  That name was “KILROY”.  “KILROY” worked in a bomb plant in Detroit where, after checking a bomb he would scrawl in white chalk “KILROY WAS HERE", on its side.  These bombs found their way throughout war torn Europe and “KILROY” became a celebrity.  As American forces took back towns from the Germans, a soldier would invariably write “KILROY WAS HERE" on whatever wall was leftstanding.  After the war, the name “KILROY” became synonymous with Graffiti, finding its way on countless student's notebook covers."

"Graffiti was used primarily by political activists to make statements and street gangs to mark territory.

Though graffiti movements such as the Cholos of Los Angeles in the 1930s and hobo signatures on freight trains predate the New York School,

it wasn't till the late 1960s that writing's current identity started to form.

The history of the underground art movement known by many names, most commonly termed graffiti

begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the mid to late '60s and is rooted in bombing.

The writers who are credited with the first conscious bombing effort are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL.

They wrote their names all over the city gaining attention from the community and local press.

It is unclear whether this concept made its way to New York City via deliberate efforts or if was a spontaneous occurrence."

- ©149th St. .Com-

Graffiti Is An Art About Pride and Self-Expression.
 
Graffiti first took form in the inner city of New York. It started out as writing your name or "tagging" it on street signs, walls and other public property. As time went on "tagging" became contemporary. As well, graffiti artists began experimenting with colors and using intricate details to make their skills distinct.
Although it is illegal, New York graffiti was tolerated by the law and the public, which helped spread the art of graffiti to other cities. This inspired young artists to come out and use this new art as a form of self-expression.....

As time went on, the public became so fascinated with this art that they often stopped to look or even took pictures. Having their pieces constantly being complimented, gave the artists a sense of pride and the confidence to go further.
Graffiti artists have the ability to transfer what they are feeling from the inside whether it be grief from lost ones, frustration with society, or happiness from life. Whichever mood they are feeling, they are able to make it into something beautiful.

See More Gilbert Weingourt's Photos Here:

1968 Oceanside Be-In

Gilbert Weingourt Gallery 1

Gilbert Weingourt '60s Manifestations'

1967 San Francisco Human Be-In

Some History of Graffiti Links:

Art Crimes

Subway Outlaws

UnderGround Art

History of Graffiti by 149st.Com

An Essay Concerning The Recognition of Some Forms of Graffiti As Art
By Prof. Goldman
Phil 651 Aesthetics
Fall 1997

All photographs on this web site are © GILBERT B. WEINGOURT 2002 and are protected under United States and International copyright laws.

These photographs may not be used, reproduced, stored, manipulated or copied in any way without the written permission of GILBERT WEINGOURT.