Getting Up

Getting Up is an ethnographic study of New York City graffiti culture and its practitioners during the 1970s. Craig Castleman documents the methods, motivations, and social dynamics of graffiti writers through extensive interviews and first-hand observation. The book examines the technical aspects of graffiti writing, from choosing materials and locations to developing distinctive styles and techniques. It also details the complex relationships between writers, law enforcement, transit authorities, and the broader community during a transformative period in urban art history. Through detailed reporting on this underground subculture, Castleman explores themes of youth identity, artistic expression, and the contested nature of public space in urban environments. The work stands as an important historical record of early graffiti culture while raising questions about art, authority, and ownership of the urban landscape.

Readers value Getting Up as one of the first academic studies of New York City graffiti culture in the 1970s and early 1980s. The book provides firsthand accounts from graffiti writers and documents their techniques, motivations, and social dynamics. Readers appreciate: - Detailed interviews with actual graffiti writers - Documentation of specific methods and terminology - Photos showing rare historical examples - Neutral, observational tone without judgment Common criticisms: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Limited scope focuses mainly on NYC subway graffiti - Some readers want more cultural/sociological analysis - Photos are black & white only Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (248 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Reader quote: "Invaluable primary source material but reads like a dissertation" - Goodreads reviewer The book remains in print since 1982 and continues to sell to graffiti researchers, artists, and historians interested in early documentation of the art form.

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Subway Art by Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant Captures the birth of graffiti culture through photographs of New York City subway cars and interviews with pioneering artists.

All City Writers by Andrea Caputo Examines the development of graffiti writing in Europe through archives, photographs, and testimonies from writers across different cities.

Graffiti Kings by Jack Stewart Chronicles the rise of New York City graffiti from 1970 to 1977 through research and interviews with original subway painters.

The History of American Graffiti by Roger Gastman, Caleb Neelon Traces graffiti's evolution across the United States through photographs, interviews, and documentation from different cities and decades.

🎨 Craig Castleman's field research for "Getting Up" involved living in the South Bronx in the 1970s and directly interviewing over 100 graffiti writers to understand their culture and motivations. 🚇 The term "getting up" in graffiti culture means achieving recognition by placing one's name or work in highly visible locations, particularly on subway trains which acted as "moving galleries." 📚 Published in 1982, this was one of the first academic studies to treat graffiti as a legitimate art form and cultural phenomenon rather than simply vandalism. 🎯 The book reveals that many early graffiti artists developed intricate strategies to access train yards, including studying transit worker schedules and creating detailed maps of security patrol patterns. 🖋️ Several graffiti artists featured in the book, including TAKI 183, went on to become influential figures in mainstream art and helped establish graffiti as a recognized form of contemporary art.