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Getting Up: Subway Graffitti in New York
"Getting Up" is the term used by graffiti "artists" to describe their success in making their mark on the New York subway system. Through candid interviews, New Yorker Craig Castleman documents the inside story of the lives and activities of these young graffitists.
191 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 4, 2010
well so far they just interview a top artist in new york name lee and his crew name fabulous five. there just telling and explaining graffiti and telling stories that happen to them.
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May 23, 2017i just had a quick look. i dont know what the big fuss is therefore there is nothing to rate. i dont like academic derivative sources. if you want to know ....just find one of those artist....make sure he or she can actually do the art and dont just blah blah blah....
....then see how it goes.....all this guessing at things from secondary sources seemed lacking in authenticity....
it is my general experience that people who blah blah about artists are rarely artists so only hear what they want to hear in a way that fits their own academic hypothesis....
5 years of chatting with one of these guys from the same source as the ones in this book.....
The Art is still a mystery....the Artists were little kids....if The government were that interested in stopping it....spend the damn money on education and free childcare instead of speaking nonsense....common sense...no?
Missing in 99.99% of modern politicians! zzz
www.ceciliayu.com
....then see how it goes.....all this guessing at things from secondary sources seemed lacking in authenticity....
it is my general experience that people who blah blah about artists are rarely artists so only hear what they want to hear in a way that fits their own academic hypothesis....
5 years of chatting with one of these guys from the same source as the ones in this book.....
The Art is still a mystery....the Artists were little kids....if The government were that interested in stopping it....spend the damn money on education and free childcare instead of speaking nonsense....common sense...no?
Missing in 99.99% of modern politicians! zzz
www.ceciliayu.com
April 19, 2025
Though somewhat academically dry and clearly written from an outsider’s perspective, Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York succeeds in educating readers on the complexities of the New York City graffiti scene during the 1970s and early ’80s.
This book is steeped in sociological academia, meaning it lacks a personal, experiential connection to the subject. While there are decent secondhand accounts from graffiti writers who were active at the time, the oral interviews only emphasize how detached the rest of the book feels from the style, tone, and raw energy that defined New York’s graffiti scene in those years.
That said, its academic approach does provide deep dives into broader themes—particularly the political, financial, and legal aspects of graffiti culture. Topics covered include the city's numerous programs attempting to combat what was then seen as a large-scale graffiti crisis, early efforts to legitimize graffiti as a paid art form, and New York City's continuously ineffective legal system in discouraging what remains, to some extent, a rebellious youth pastime. However, given that Getting Up was originally published in 1982, much of its coverage on these fronts feels outdated. That’s something to keep in mind if you decide to pick it up.
Not bad, but not exactly great either. I’m still searching for a book on graffiti with a more personal, immersive perspective—one that captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the movement at its peak. If anyone knows of such a book, I implore you—PLEASE drop a recommendation in the comments! Until then, I’m not mad I read this, but I have a hard time recommending it.
This book is steeped in sociological academia, meaning it lacks a personal, experiential connection to the subject. While there are decent secondhand accounts from graffiti writers who were active at the time, the oral interviews only emphasize how detached the rest of the book feels from the style, tone, and raw energy that defined New York’s graffiti scene in those years.
That said, its academic approach does provide deep dives into broader themes—particularly the political, financial, and legal aspects of graffiti culture. Topics covered include the city's numerous programs attempting to combat what was then seen as a large-scale graffiti crisis, early efforts to legitimize graffiti as a paid art form, and New York City's continuously ineffective legal system in discouraging what remains, to some extent, a rebellious youth pastime. However, given that Getting Up was originally published in 1982, much of its coverage on these fronts feels outdated. That’s something to keep in mind if you decide to pick it up.
Not bad, but not exactly great either. I’m still searching for a book on graffiti with a more personal, immersive perspective—one that captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the movement at its peak. If anyone knows of such a book, I implore you—PLEASE drop a recommendation in the comments! Until then, I’m not mad I read this, but I have a hard time recommending it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews