Is Calligraphy An Islamic Graffiti Art?

Is Calligraffiti Art?

Calligraphy is an ancient writing form that was used to write the Qu’ran and is the basis for the first written alphabet. Graffiti is the art of writing, drawing, or painting on a wall for the public to view. Calligraffiti is the combination of both of these and is also a new term that encompasses the ancient handwriting art of calligraphy with the new age art of graffiti. Calligraffiti is Islamic Graffiti that was created by the Islamic people that usually discusses political and social agendas but also includes just plain street art by using a spray paint can and a wall to share their message. Many famous Islamic Graffiti artists such as El Seed, Aersoal Arabic (Muhammad Ali), and Niels Meulman (aka SHOE) live in the Middle East and Europe and use Calligraffiti to make street art. Ever since graffiti became popular it has always been debated over whether it was an art. If calligraphy is counted as an art, and graffiti is not, then what does that make Calligraffiti?

We need to first have a general understanding of what Calligraphy is. Calligraphy is the most highly regarded and fundamental element of Islamic art. The book of God’s revelations was transmitted in Arabic and was written by a calligrapher. Calligraphy is a means of transmitting a text in a decorative form. Calligraphy in the terms of Arabic Script was an important factor pre-Islamic times because after the death of Muhammad the Qu’ran started to be transcribed into book form.( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-wolfe/calligraphy-islamic-art-of-arts_b_1647263.html) In order for it

Graffiti takes its roots in ancient Egypt and it can even be found conserved on the cave walls in Pompeii. In recent forms, it has also contributed to vandalism. Because of this aspect it is often not considered a work of