The language might change — Straßen-Kunst here in Berlin, I use StreetArt as the universal definition for Graffiti.
If one translates Street kind literally as road art, then the term designated in former times a multiplicity of activities in the public area, which covered all ranges of the art: Road music, road theatre, ground (plaster) painting.
The term Graffiti is derived etymologisch from the Greek word graph in. In the Italian linguistic area out sgraffiare (= scratch, the scratching) Sgraffiti and/or Graffiti developed. Both designations stood synonymously for a technology of the facade design, for a scratching finery technology, with which multi colour finery layers are laid on and arranged then by way scratching of the upper layer relief-like motives. Many this Sgraffitohäuser stand under monument protection.
Check out: Berlingrafitti and graffitieuropa.org
