Design Art Papers 2025 | No. 13

from routine, and an invitation to reflection. As the famous artist Banksy said, „Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don't come upwith a picture to cureworld poverty, you canmake someone smile while they're having a piss.” [1] This quote underlines the essence of street art as an instrument for those without power, capable of generating discourses that range from deep social critique to subtle interventions that provoke an emotional reaction. Anonymity plays a crucial role in this type of discourse. The action of creating a work under the cover of night or in a quick and discreet manner gives the artist freedom of expression that traditional media, subject to censorship and institutional control, cannot offer. The discourse thus becomes braver, more direct, liberated from the constraints of public identity. Moreover, under the mask of anonymity, rather than an individual person, the artist transforms into a collective symbol, and the work into a voice of the community or a cause. This „act of disappearance” after the work is completed is, in itself, part of the discourse: a refusal to conform to the norms of artistic recognition and to be co-opted by the system. Street artists frequently use complex visual codes and symbols to articulate their discourse. A repeated stencil, a slightly modified iconic image, a specific color palette—all these are visual elements that carry a message. The action of placing these symbols in a specific urban context, often in strategic locations or with historical/social significance, amplifies the power of the discourse. For example, ananti-war symbol placedon thewall of amilitary institution is not just a drawing; it is a confrontation, a direct challenge, a re-signification of that space through artistic intervention. The message is not just „read” but is "lived" and "interactedwith" through themedium inwhich it appears. Fig. 2 / Keith Haring, „ Crack Is Wack ”, 1986. On the wall of a handball court at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and E 128th Street, New York. 289 288 / / / / Caiete de Arte și Design / nr. 13 / 2025 / / / / Publicație a Centrului de Cercetare și Creație în Artele Decorative și Design / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /