Candle tagged cave – I was here.

Graffiti is comprised of different elements with tags the most basic form. Tags date back to the beginning of time when marks were left as a form of “I was here”. The tag is simply a moniker typically written in modern times with a marker or spray. In times past the tools might have been a candle or carving implement.

Tagged building in San Francisco

Tags tends be one of the more irritating and unsightly forms of graffiti defacing public and private buildings and property, public transportation, postal, utility and garbage boxes. With one quick stoke of the pen ones name can be bombed all over the place. Yes it costs time and money to clean it up. But is it all truly bad and malicious with no artistic merit?

Tagged door on Osage Alley

A wall filled with tags looks like an eye sore until closer inspection reveals different styles of writing. Tags after all are a style of writing. Some are rooted in graffiti styles that originated in different parts of the country while others might be unique to the writer. There are tags that are more legible and flow better than others.

When is a tag more than a tag and elevated to handstyle? By definition they are synonymous. Though from our perspective it is when the tag conveys panache where the person is saying I am not only here. I have a unique style perfected through experimentation and practice that causes you to stand up and take notice. In the eyes of a graffiti writer that would be a dope tag.

We have taken many photos of tags and handstyles frequently on pieces and murals since that is our focus. You will have to make the determination if they are just a nuisance tag or a handstyle with artistic merit.