Today’s sign is an illegal one. From the hand of someone typically poor but no less desirous to see their mark shine amongst others, graffiti is at times the only method available for the poor and minorities to have their signage in the public eye. This form of signage is the oldest available to those seeking the opportunity to leave messages to others in a society or clan. From the cave paintings of primitive man to the hieroglyphs of ancient Egyptians to the usage of petroglyphs by Native Americans, right up to contemporary mankind using neon and plastic to announce one thing or another. Today, we frown upon the rampant and what most consider rude and defacing usage of graffiti while condoning those who pay their licensing fee and stay within a narrow parameter of what is typically considered good taste. In the end, the objective is the same, we want recognition that we have been here. The creative, innovative, or hard-working will find a surface or storefront and leave their mark in the here and now, others will await their gravestone to announce they, too, were here.
