“Scrapyard gardens”, or romantic graffiti as public statements

Abstract

Romantic graffiti come in two types: confessional and directive. Confessional graffiti are spontaneous, these are an outburst of feelings. A confession of love is usually accompanied by a name, but if the inscription is made right below the addressee’s window, the name is lacking. It is often substituted by a pet name which is more specific for the speaker than a name. A confession is expressive, it praises the addressee and expresses adoration of them. Congratulations are usually related to a birthday or to a birth of a child. Directive graffiti are well-thought-out; they sometimes feature quotes from popular texts. These graffiti include wishes of good morning, good cheer and health; pleas to forget one not and to come back, to date and to marry; pleas for forgiveness. They are written on asphalt, underfoot, on the house, scrapyard and waste-lot walls, nevertheless, both the addressees and addressants remain oblivious to the stylistic cacophony, they place more value on the publicity of the message. The graffiti are supposed to make the relationship between the addressee and the addressant known, which increases their social status. They do not aim for esoteric language: the inscription must be clear to everyone. Genuine intimate relationships are formed in public. Romantic graffiti resemble ditties in this respect.