LESSON 5: GRAFFITI: ARTWORK OR VANDALISM?

Lesson 1 Lesson 5

UNIT 3

GRAFFITI: ARTWORK OR VANDALISM?

– How many forms of street art do you know? – How do you think what is the difference between street art and graffiti? Look at the pictures, where is a graffiti and a street art? – How would you characterize these works?

VOCABULARY

1. Look at these types of graffiti and fill them into the blanks in the sentences below. visual art / art boom / stencil graffiti / poster art / sticker art / video projection / vandalism / street art / street installation / mural / spray-painted graffiti

1) _______ is a term defining forms of _______ created in public locations. 2) It is usually unsanctioned _______ executed outside of the context of traditional art venues. 3) The term gained popularity during the graffiti _______ of the early 1980s and continues to be applied. 4) _______ , _______ , _______ or _______ , and _______ or _______ are common forms of modern street art. 5) Traditional _______ artwork itself is often included in this category, excluding territorial _______ . 6) _______ is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface.

2. Do the Graffiti quiz to know more about its origins.

1) Graffiti artists usually use: a) coloured paint b) spray paint c) crayons 2) What is graffiti done without permission on private property known as? a) vandalism b) black art c) bootlegging 3) Which ancient civilization has evidence of graffiti? a) Greek b) Aztec c) Egyptian 4) Which type of music is related to graffiti? a) Pop b) Rock c) Hip-hop 5) Which of these walls was graffiti painted from end to end? a) The Great wall of China b) The wall on Wall street c) The Berlin wall 6) What is Girafitti? a) graffiti about animals b) very colourful graffiti c) graffiti in inaccessible places 7) The modern word graffiti is from the Italian word ‘”graffiato” which means: a) illegal b) wall c) scratched 8) Where did modern Graffiti originated? a) Lispon, Portugal b) Madrid, Spain c) New York, the USA 9) What is the most famous Graffiti artist? a) Lee b) Banksy c) Dondi

READING

3. Read the following text. Match the words in colour to their synonyms below.

inscriptions / damage / to remove paint / pictures / band / titled / connection / careless / call / untidy / run-down areas (2)

Graffiti means many things for different people. Some people associate graffiti with vandalism and the destruction of property. The word “graffiti” comes from Italian and has a negative meaning, reminding us that graffiti is not a socially desired good. In general, graffiti is the decoration of a public space, with a message or creation, of an individual or a group. It’s mostly represented in tags. It can look slovenly, gaudy, derelict, and like art. Its purpose can be to spread a message, claim ownership or for art. When ancient peoples conquered an area, they used stones and tools to destroy or deface existing murals and monuments, showing that they were the new owners. Similarly, in modern times, gangs use graffiti to claim “ownership” of a town. However, artists in the past couple of decades have been changing the social nature of graffiti, using it as a thought-provoking tool for social change by bringing art to the streets. This movement of bringing art to the streets has been appropriately introduced as “street art.”

1) Does the society and government have a positive attitude to graffiti? 2) How has the main intention of graffiti changed since ancient times? 3) What are the most commom places for graffiti? 4) Is graffiti encouraged by the law? 5) What are the examples of positive graffiti influence? 6) Who are the two famous graffiti artists? 7) What is a special style JR has? 8) How are graffiti and street art different? 9) Do you personally consider graffiti to be art?

Graffiti is usually illegal, because it can deface publicly owned property and because some messages are controversial. Governments suffer great expense making designated graffiti zones, repairing damage, and buffing “Don’t worry, be happy” or “Kings Rule” from public transport and buildings. Challenge graffiti, which is a way of recording an achievement, also takes place and is often seen in tourist locations. For example: “I’ll love you forever” padlock fences; or “I was here” a top mountain peaks.

Despite the illegality and negative stereotypes, graffiti isn’t all bad. In fact, it is now against the law to buff or deface any of Banksy’s popular, controversial graffiti pieces. “Graffiti saved my life” – teens who graffiti typically: avoid other illegal activities; form supportive friendship groups and strong bonds with their area; use their voice to transform the plain, concrete-jungle around them. There are also numerous types of legal graffiti, and modern technology has given rise to the advent of electrical graffiti!

Street art can have a social impact and spark global change. This was most recently noted by street artist and photographer JR, who wishes to bring global awareness to social issues by highlighting them through his art, often giving them a human face. Working with a team of volunteers in various urban environments, he mounts enormous black-and-white photo canvases that spread on the buildings of the slums around Paris, on the walls in the Middle East, on broken bridges in Africa, and across the favelas of Brazil. JR is one of the many street artists who has been making people think about the world in which we live in a different way. JR's work combines art and action, and deals with commitment, freedom, identity and limits.

4. Answer the questions according to the text.

Lesson 1 Lesson 5

UNIT 3

Lesson 1 Lesson 5

UNIT 3

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR BANK

EXTREME ADJECTIVES

There are two types of adjectives in English: gradable and non-gradable. Gradable adjectives have degrees (quite cold, a little cold, extremely cold). But non-gradable don’t, as they already have the meaning of the strongest – extreme degree: Ex.: freezing = extremely cold. So cold is a regular adjective, but freezing is an extreme one. With regular adjectives, we can use these adverbs: a little, a bit, slightly, fairly, rather very, extremely, immensely, intensely, hugely: rather interesting, immensely tired; With extreme adjectives, we cannot use these adverbs. However, there are other three words that can be used to add emphasis to the extreme adjective: absolutely, utterly, completely: absolutely furious, utterly. The words pretty and really can be used with both regular and extreme adjectives:

Ex.: This room is pretty dirty. (regular) – This room is pretty filthy. (extreme) Check the meanings of the following extreme adjectives; memorize them:

furious, awful, huge, hilarious, wonderful, fantastic, fascinating, ancient, starving, exhausted, astounding, tiny, boiling, packed, spotless, hideous

5. Find adjectives in the text in Ex. 3. Form their comparative and superlative forms.

Refer to the Grammar Bank above if necessary. 6. Complete the sentences choosing the most suitable extreme adjective.

1) The comedian was astounding/fascinating/hilarious! I laughed so hard I was almost crying. 2) The kitchen was furious/hideous/spotless by the time she finished cleaning it. 3) These ancient/filthy/packed ruins were built by the Mayans thousands of years ago. 4) In my evaluation, the teacher said I was a horrible/gorgeous/wonderful student and a joy to have in class. 5) My brother was awful/furious/starving when I broke his brand – new cell phone. 6) The first time I had to speak at a big conference, I was exhausted/terrified/terrible – my hands were actually shaking! 7) This hearing aid is so astounding/filthy/tiny you can barely see it. 8) That dress is hideous/freezing/spotless. I can’t believe it’s considered “fashionable”! 9) My kids fell asleep on the car ride home from the zoo – they were exhausted/furious/ terrifying from running around all day. 10) I’m not really into politics, but I find science gigantic/fascinating/starving.

7. Decide whether the sentences are grammatically correct. Mind the adverbs.

1) That painting is gorgeous – the artist has a real talent. 2) These books are ancient – they were written two hundred years ago. 3) The classroom was empty during the week before Christmas; everyone had gone on vacation. 4) He became a multi-millionaire by the time he was 25 years old. His success is absolutely astounding. 5) It’s a bit hot in here; could you open the window? 6) This project is gigantic – it’s far too much work for just one person. 7) He lost his job and his car was stolen in the same week? Wow, that’s really awful. 8) It’s extremely essential that you bring all the necessary documents to your visa interview. 9) Your essay was nearly perfect – there was only one small punctuation error. 10) My new apartment is tiny; there isn’t enough room for all my furniture.

LISTENING

8. Check the meaning of the words given below. Listen to the recording and write down the phrases or collocations with the use of these words.

pseudonym / stencils / slogans / auctions / nominated / recognizable

9. Have you ever heard of Banksy before? Listen to the recording once again and say whether the following sentences are true (T) or false (F).

Correct the false sentences.

1) Banksy hardly ever gives interviews and likes to be anonymous. 2) He began his career in England. He is British. 3) Banksy never displays his art on publicly visible surfaces. 4) His works are humorous and never have any underlying message. 5) Balloon Girl is the only one of his artworks that became popular. 6) Exit Though the Gift Shop is a mural, depicting street artists in Los Angeles. 7) Banksy is also famous for his paintings and films. 8) He never gets any prize for his works.

ART AND MEDIA Lesson 1 Lesson 5

UNIT 3

SPEAKING

10. Look at these images by the infamous and secretive street artist Banksy. Describe what you can see in each of them.

1) What do you think of them? Do you like them? Are they funny/ offensive/ political? 2) Do you think there are any political or social messages that Banksy is trying to convey? 3) Some people have described Banksy’s work as vandalism? Do you agree? Does his work encourage crime? Should this kind of art be banned? 4) Banksy has been able to keep his identity a secret. Why do you think he has done this? Who do you think he is? 5) Can you think of examples of street art in your city or places you have visited? Describe them to your partner/your teacher.

WRITING

11. Look at the image of the girl with a basket, she is being inspected by the policeman.

Make up a story about what happened before and what happens next. Write about 100-120 words.