2. The Role of Graffiti
Graffiti emerged as a potent symbol of the subway’s disorder and decay during the 1980s. Trains, once sleek and efficient, became moving canvases for graffiti artists, their exteriors covered in vibrant tags and elaborate murals. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring gained notoriety, their work both criticized and celebrated. While some viewed graffiti as an art form, others saw it as a blatant sign of neglect and lawlessness. The public perception shifted, equating the colorful displays with the city’s inability to maintain order, further fueling the sense of unease.
