A highly collectible and influential book documenting the early history, philosophy, and aesthetic of graffiti writing — known as “Aerosol Linguistics.” Published by Stampa Alternativa in association with IGTimes, this bilingual (English–Italian) edition explores the origins of graffiti culture in New York City’s subway system and its global evolution into a legitimate art form.

The volume is a rare hybrid of visual documentation, cultural commentary, and linguistic analysis, combining archival photographs of early NYC subway graffiti with essays on the sociopolitical and artistic context of the movement.

It features writings, photography, and design contributions by pioneers and insiders of the scene, including TIGHT / IGT Armada, Adolfo Rossomando, and others who were active in the Italian and American graffiti networks of the 1980s–1990s.

Details:

• Title: Style: Writing from the Underground — (R)evolutions of Aerosol Linguistics

• Publisher: Stampa Alternativa / Nuovi Equilibri, in association with IGTimes

• Country: Italy

• First Edition: October 1996

• This Copy: Fifth Printing, April 2003

• Printed by: UmbriaGraf, Terni

• Language: English and Italian (bilingual text)

• Binding: Softcover

• Pages: Approx. 90 pages, with numerous black-and-white and color photographs

• ISBN: Not specified (original Stampa Alternativa series)

• Format: Landscape orientation, approx. 8.5 x 11 inches

Condition:

Very good condition for its age. Light shelf wear and minor corner rubbing. Clean interior with no writing, tears, or missing pages. Binding tight and pages bright.

Highlights:

• Traces the foundations of modern graffiti and hip-hop visual language.

• Includes analysis of “Style Writing” — the evolution of letter forms, tags, and subway aesthetics.

• Bilingual English–Italian text, making it both an art reference and cultural study.

• Features early photos of NYC subway graffiti, including works by TAKI 183 and other pioneers.

• A landmark publication connecting street art with semiotics and cultural theory.

Historical Note:

This book was among the first to frame graffiti as a legitimate linguistic and artistic system, influencing later academic studies and museum exhibitions worldwide. It remains one of the cornerstone European publications on the global graffiti movement.