From outlaw art to urban euphoria: Graffiti legitimization processes from within

Graffiti has long been seen as a non-mainstream form of cultural expression and urban culture. In recent decades, graffiti and street art as communicative practices have significantly changed in terms of their symbolic meaning, aesthetic value, purpose and perception. This research explores this de-marginalization of graffiti, using as a lens the perceptions and views of the different actors involved in the processes of graffiti legitimization. It contributes to our understanding of the internal dynamics taking place during these processes, identifying attitudes and tendencies that prevail. The research identifies thematic areas contributing to graffiti legitimization and discusses the agendas and attitudes of different categories of actors that have not yet received much attention.