From Graffiti to Advertising: This 7 Train Ad Wrap Represents a Loss of Cultural Identity

Martha Cooper posted this image to her Instagram of a full outer car advertising wrap on the elevated 7 line. The fact that this train runs directly across from the infamous 5 Pointz is not lost on her as she was integral in capturing the birth of Graffiti many years ago, and likely shot similar images of the early greats decorating the outside of NY's subway transit system. The change in content makes me think of BC Biermann's academic paper entitled "The Battle of LA: Graffiti, the Self and the Reappropriation of Semiotic Space" The sad state of our corporatized cities and the loss of cultural identity that comes with it.