Case Study: Graffiti on Benches of the Prague Metro Line A
Abstract: The article deals with the graffiti on the benches of the Prague Metro line A. At first, the history of the Prague Metro is presented in general and some details related to the Metro line A are listed. After, a brief history of graffiti and graffiti art is introduced including some specifics related to the Czech Republic. The data for this research are gathered mainly through a field research on the 25th of May 2015. Benches on the line A of the Prague Metro system were selected when four (4) new stations were opened in April 2015. The article describes in details the furnishing and the architectonical structure of benches in the Metro stations on the researched line A (the description is supported with figures). The presence of graffiti was photographically documented. Results are qualitatively evaluated. The research indicates that factors, among others the distance of the stations to the city center, the amount of passengers passing through the station, the age of the station, the surficial patterning and material of the benches, the placement of the benches in the stations are the factors influencing the amount of graffiti on the benches in the Metro stations. The Metro station Museum showed the highest presence of graffiti on benches based on a quantitatively established index of presence of graffiti. An interesting finding is that a low presence of graffiti on newly opened stations might relate to the psychological hesitation of graffiti writers to vandalize the new and aesthetically pleasing environment. The most significant finding is that the best structure preventing presence of graffiti on benches is the placement of perforated metallic benches in the center of the platforms.
