Training Days

November 1, 2014

Filled with photographs of brightly tagged subway trains, this title offers a look at the voices behind these moving (literally and figuratively) murals. Chalfant (Subway Art) and filmmaker/artist/zine editor Jenkins highlight an individual and that artist's development as a graffiti writer in a chapter per person. The book focuses on graffiti culture from the mid-1970s until the early 1980s, offering a counterculture viewpoint on the unifying power of graffiti; many artists commented about the lack of race or class distinctions. The book is founded upon the premise that graffiti pieces are truly works of art, not vandalism of public property. Whether the images that accompany the text strike the reader as art is a matter of individual taste, but the ultimate fascination lies in the artists' dissection and analyses of their own styles and those of their contemporaries. Readers may be surprised by the careful thought and planning that the execution of each piece entailed. For additional perspectives, watch the seminal Style Wars documentary (directed by Tony Silver; produced by Chalfant) or read The Faith of Graffiti by Norman Mailer (text) and Jon Naar (photos). VERDICT A fascinating primer on graffiti writers and culture. The indoctrination includes a helpful glossary to decode the slang used throughout. Readers interested in the birth of hip-hop, urban culture, or modern art will find this work especially engrossing.--Rachael Dreyer, American Heritage Ctr., Laramie, WY

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