Discussion
• How does Nicholas Alden Riggle define the term "street art" in his essay "Street Art: The Transfiguration of the Commonplaces"? How does he compare and contrast "street art" to "public art"? How does he define the word "street" in "street art", and how does the "street" directly and indirectly factor into street art? Do you agree with his definitions? Why or why not? Use quotes from the reading and examples of street art from the text and/or from our class discussion to support your ideas.
• How does Riggle define "graffiti"? What does he mean by "mere graffiti" versus "artistic graffiti", and "general" versus "specific" uses of the street with graffiti? Also, how does he distinguish between "street art" and "graffiti" definitionally? What is Riggle's tone about "street art" vs. "graffiti" vs. "public art" in this essay? Do you agree with these definitions and his overall argument here? Why or why not?
• Do you agree with Riggle's argument that "the meaning of street art outstrips the power of its manifest aesthetic properties"? (250) Why or why not? Is this always the case for street art? What exceptions, if any, can be made? Use quotes/passages from the reading and examples of street art from the text and/or from our class discussion to support your ideas.