Shake Well Midden: An archaeology of contemporary graffiti production in Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

Following on from the inroads archaeologists have made into the study of graffiti, this project set out to examine graffiti production through the lens of its associated material culture. A graffiti midden comprising the detritus of mark-making paraphernalia and other contemporary residues was recorded. The study reveals that aerosol painting was the dominant technique employed in the production of graffiti. One component of the assemblage-the aerosol can-was selected as a focus for detailed analysis. The results show distinctive patterns in the archaeological remains suggestive of particular behaviours on the part of graffiti writers, including the selection of speciality aerosols and particular discard practices. The findings of this preliminary investigation indicate that an understanding of graffiti as an artefact-generating activity complements and broadens existing archaeological treatments of graffiti as artefact. This approach has the potential to reveal new insights into a wider context of activities surrounding graffiti production and the creation of graffiti writing places and communities. Show more