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Concept information

Preferred term

tag  

Definition

  • The most basic form of graffiti, a pseudonym of the writer created with spray cans or markers, the tag is the backbone of the writing phenomenon. The evolution of the tag represents the personal style of its author. All pieces, even the largest, most colourful and elaborate ones, remain signatures. In Chinese graffiti, a tag can also take the form of a chengyu (a four-character idiom), a poem, a seal, or a concept. This illustrates how the American tag concept has been reinterpreted by Chinese writers as a modern seal, aligning with the graffiti-logo trend, particularly among crews or writers with commercial objectives.

Alternative Terms

签名涂鸦
Chinese
qianming tuya

Source

  • Bisceglia, Marta R. 2024. «GLOSSARY», in Iezzi A. (edited by), Graffiti in China, 193-99: https://www.1088press.it/en/graffiti-in-china-enhanced-digital-edition/glossary/
  • Bisceglia, Marta R. 2025. Graffiti and Chinese Calligraphy: Looking for Identity in Fusion. PhD thesis. Bologna: Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.

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In other languages

  • qianming tuya

    Chinese

URI

http://w3id.org/write/thesaurus/tag

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