The most reviled and persecuted form of Graffiti, the Tag, is seldom appreciated for the raw beauty of its skeletal letter forms. Most tags are removed immediately, and thus the casual viewer seldom has a chance to discern the difference between entry level and advanced hand styles.

Within the pages of Flip the Script, author Christian Acker has systematically analyzed a cross section of American graffiti hand styles, contextualizing the work of graffiti writers from around the United States. Acker presents the various lettering samples in a clean organized format, giving the material a proper, formal treatment evoking classic typography books.

Available online: FLIP the SCRIPT

224 pages, Hardcover, 8 ̋ x 10.5 ̋ (178 x 229 mm)
100s of 2-color illustrations, English ISBN: 978-1-58423-460-9

UPPER PLAYGROUND in association with HAND SELECTA and Gingko Press is pleased to announce the release of

FLIP THE SCRIPT | A Guidebook for Aspiring Vandals & Typographers
by Christian P. Acker

Due to drop in stores March of this year, this cloth-bound 224pg hard cover book carefully deconstructs American tagging styles with scientific precision.  Christian Acker pays homage to the unsung heroes of Graffiti Halls of Fame, spending years collecting data and interviewing artists about the history and evolution of street ‘calligraphy’ in the United States.  Pages are adorned with 1st person quotations that give context and background as each artist breaks down their own hand-style from A to Z.

Check out the preview video and visit HANDSELECTA for more information.

Flip The Script – Book Preview from adnauseum on Vimeo.