Is graffiti art or vandalism, or...? for me it's art. it's not always beautiful, but I find it illuminating, shocking, political, an identity statement. but I have a friend who worked with at-risk youth, and she considers it destruction of property, a crime in itself, and a gateway to more serious crimes.
I'm with you. Most of the graffiti I've seen is really good. Stuff that I wouldn't be able to replicate. And if someone has a talent I don't have, I respect it.
And my feeling about the at-risk youth thing, if I found someone who was a really good graffiti artist, I would try to look for a path for them to pursue their talent professionally.
 JeezumsCripes
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    JeezumsCripes
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        It's both art and vandalism. If someone doesn't give you permission to deface their property, it's wrong in my view. I do not think it's a gateway to more serious crimes though. Just like weed is not a gateway to rape, murder, and/or heroine or meth etc. People need to get out of the propaganda mindset from stuff like Reefer Madness.
"Property being an illusion" might be true in the philosophical realm, but not in the world with laws and practical outcomes.
 Piece2YourPuzzle
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Piece2YourPuzzle
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        I think it is both, unless the artist has been given permission to use the building, wall etc. for her/his work.
 patchoullijulie
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    patchoullijulie
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        As long as it's proper graffiti that makes a point or looks like something, not that stupid, lazy-ass piss scribble I see everywhere.
 memorylikeasieve
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    memorylikeasieve
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        @Beatnik Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but what I mean by 'piss scribble' is that little scribbly blargle they mark their territory with, like dogs pissing on fire hydrants. To me, it's just dumb.
I think some graffiti is beautiful, but I can see where it can be considered vandalism if it's done without the consent of the people who own the property - that would be opposed to "street art" which can be just as illuminating, but not illegal. I think of it this way: if it was my building someone was spray-painting on, even if it was lovely, if it was without my okay I'd see it as a violation.
 bleurowz
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 27, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    bleurowz
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 27, 2018                                            
                                        Looks like an eyesore to me, then again I'm not into art.
 SpikeTalon
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                May 27, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    SpikeTalon
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                May 27, 2018                                            
                                        Art or vandalism? It's sometimes one, sometimes the other, and quite frequently, both.
It's largely subjective, and rather depends on whether it enhances or detracts from whatever was there before it. Some will always object on principle, regardless of how pleasing on the eye the end result is.
 NicoleCadmium
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    NicoleCadmium
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        If it assists expressing your frustrations that you find difficult to articulate in other ways, I don't think it should be considered vandalism, especially with at-risk youth who are wending there way through an acceptable set of rules that guide them. I find it helpful to write down frustrations, feelings, angry thoughts etc. I believe it assists people with, 'unquiet minds'. Suggested by a mates wife years ago, who is a nurse. I will not tell you 'it works for me', as I abhor cliches, but I feel different thinking about it, and deciphering the best way to express it, sort of a draft, then unloading on to paper, usually with a fountain pen, as I miss old fashioned communication with advent of emails and texts.
 tellyrus
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    tellyrus
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        We live in a world where people voiceless.. Graffiti is the voice. Some of it is beautiful. Some is just vandalism.
 Ellatynemouth
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Ellatynemouth
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        I would say “yes” it is art but when you do it on someone else’ property or city property then I would consider it vanadium.
 LibrePenseur
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    LibrePenseur
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                May 26, 2018                                            
                                        Art has always been pushing boundaries. I like the daring of the graffiti artists. When it is illegal, they learn to paint fast. It is temporary. Often it is whitewashed in days. They want their work up there, make a statement and then its gone. I find it fascinating. Love Banksy
Please look here where graffiti arts sued an owner of a building and were awarded 6.7million. [theconversation.com]
 MsDemeanour
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                July 24, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    MsDemeanour
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                July 24, 2018                                            
                                        this should be a poll. It's art. I hate seeing blank walls (canvases)
 MsDemeanour
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                July 24, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    MsDemeanour
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                July 24, 2018                                            
                                        Both, but so Much of it is gang related and shows no respect for property OR art.
 Humanity4all
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                May 26, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Humanity4all
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                May 26, 2018