Craig Castleman

Craig Castleman is a researcher and author known for his pioneering documentation of New York City's early graffiti culture and subway art movement of the 1970s and early 1980s. His most significant work, "Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York," published in 1982, was one of the first scholarly examinations of graffiti culture and remains an influential text in the study of street art and urban culture. The book provided detailed insights into the methods, terminology, and social dynamics of graffiti writers during a pivotal period in the movement's history. As a Columbia University researcher, Castleman conducted extensive interviews with graffiti writers, transit authority officials, and law enforcement, creating a comprehensive record of the emerging cultural phenomenon. His academic approach helped legitimize the study of graffiti as a cultural movement worthy of serious examination. Castleman's work has become a primary source for subsequent researchers, historians, and documentarians exploring the origins of hip-hop culture and urban art movements. His research methods and findings continue to influence contemporary studies of street art and urban youth culture.

Readers view Castleman as an early documentarian of New York City graffiti culture through his 1982 book "Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York." Many readers appreciate his firsthand research and interviews with graffiti writers from the 1970s era. What readers liked: - Detailed documentation of graffiti techniques and culture - Primary source interviews with writers from that period - Historical photos and documentation - Neutral, academic approach to the subject What readers disliked: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Limited scope focused mainly on early 1970s - Some question accuracy of certain details Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (236 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (46 ratings) "An invaluable snapshot of early graffiti culture," notes one Amazon reviewer. Another Goodreads reviewer states "The interviews alone make this worth reading for anyone interested in graffiti history." Some criticism focuses on the academic tone, with one reader noting it "reads more like a sociology paper than a book about street art."

Getting Up: Subway Graffiti in New York (1982) A documentary-style study of New York City subway graffiti and its practitioners during the 1970s, featuring interviews with writers and detailed accounts of their techniques and culture.

Times Square: Celebrating 100 Years (2003) A historical examination of Times Square's development from 1904 to 2004, chronicling its evolution through photographs, archival materials, and firsthand accounts.

New York Night: The Mystique and Its History (1998) An exploration of New York City's nightlife and nocturnal culture throughout different historical periods, examining how darkness transformed the city's character and activities.

Los Graffiti (1987) A Spanish-language analysis of graffiti culture focusing on its global spread from New York City to international urban centers, including documentation of styles and methodologies.