WORD ON THE STREET
The street is a stage where public life unfolds, where text and language sustain urban subcultures. Letters, writing, and language, when used in public spaces, offer reflections and commentary on city life, transforming the urban landscape into a powerful canvas for human expression.
From the vibrant typography of graffiti to poetic interventions on walls and sidewalks, these forms of expression speak volumes about the culture and identity of the city. Calligraffiti, in particular, bridges the gap between the refined elegance of calligraphy and the bold spirit of graffiti, creating a distinct and dynamic visual language that captures the essence of urban life.
Discover how letters and words can shape our perception of the city and also reflect the personal narratives of the artists. We invite you to participate in this conversation by writing your own love letter to the city. Share your thoughts, dreams, and hopes for our urban spaces at the ticker station on site, and contribute to this evolving dialogue of art and text.
Introduction
In the chapter WORD ON THE STREET, you can discover how artists use writing and language in public spaces in order to reflect and comment on life in the city. The street is a stage where public life is performed, and text and language are central to urban subcultures.
From the visual typography of graffiti styles like wildstyle, bubble letters, and block letters to the fusion with calligraphy, graffiti artists combine intricate, artistic handwriting with bold, expressive elements. “Calligraffiti” bridges the gap between the elegance of calligraphy and the rebellious spirit of graffiti, creating a distinct and dynamic visual language.
Experience how letters can shape our perception of the city and reflect upon your own personal narratives. We encourage you to participate by writing your own love letter to the city. Share your thoughts, dreams, and hopes for our urban spaces, and contribute to this evolving dialogue of art and text.
Drew.Lab-One
Italian street artist Drew.Lab-One has created a new work especially for our exhibition LOVE LETTERS TO THE CITY. Have a look! You’ll see the perfection of her technique, down to the smallest detail, and in every single “calligraffiti” letter! Calligraphy is at the heart of Drew.Lab-One’s approach to writing. She combines inspirations from several traditions to create her very own lettering style: in addition to Arabic and Italian calligraphy, she incorporates Cyrillic and Gothic script traditions.
With her elegantly crafted lettering, Drew.Lab-One always pursues social and political concerns, and prompts critical reflection. In her artworks—predominantly large murals— everything merges with the lettering structures in which the words are repeated like a mantra. Her conviction here is that “Words create a reality.”
Have you noticed that in Berlin, where the artist now lives, there are many different languages and kinds of writing in the streets? Stay keen and keep watching out for this!
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