Graffiti

[mf]

Some see it as the definitive modern art form; others, nothing more than a visual plague on our cities that encourages other forms of vandalism and lawbreaking. What about you?

Personally, I can see the arguments from both sides. Not much is more satisfying to me than seeing people do something creative and productive, out of their own free will, without payment, that contributes to the community in such a way that graffiti does.

However, it does have its place. Broken Window Theory applies to graffiti especially in mid-way areas that maybe have a few windows broken or whatever.

One solution is designated graffiti areas, although to many this goes against the true meaning of graffiti, which is freedom of expression with no restrictions. One of my favourite artists, Banksy, exploited this concept to bring art to places that would not normally receive it, and has been praised for it:

I'd like to make a point that I am not fond of all graffiti. I hate things like this:

But then I'll see something like this and scold myself for ever doubting the creativity and talent of many graffiti artists:

 

[DM]

Like you said, I see good and bad in graffiti. But in the end, it really does have a noticeable adverse affect on the communities around it. I really would like to say there are possible ways to keep it around, but I just don't really think any are very feasible.

 

[Ecnemalas]

I never really thought of graffiti before. Trying to make designated areas just doesn't feel right for artists I'm sure, and they'll probably move somewhere else. I like graffiti as art where people work hard on it, not like writing "fuck" a few times on a wall.

 

[God.]

the graffiti 'movement' in the 80s was pretty cool i guess

 

[Arceus]

I like good grafitti - however, it's still considered property damage and those caught doing it without getting permission should be punished. Hell, somebody has to pay to repaint the wall if they don't approve of it.

On a lighter note: SCIZOR!

 

[GTS]

I respect Graffiti a lot.

I also do it in my spare time, but I haven't gotten into it as much as I'd like to.

Just small tags, and stickers for now.

 

[Sleep]

When done well, it can look _really_ cool. It's kind of a rare thing to see quality graffiti, though, especially where I live (rural Texas).

Designated areas, I think, would be a bad option... most taggers don't do it for the sake of doing it; it's a territorial thing, so they would probably be ignored by most. Still, it's an idea.

 

[choop]

Graffiti is really popular here. My friends and I used to be pretty heavy into the scene but we have moved on I suppose. I dislike tags since they're not really art in my opinion, but just vandalism.

 

[Glen]

my girlfriend is really really into graf, and she got me reading a lot about it. graffiti brasil is an absolutely beautiful book, i recommend it for reasons like this:

 

[pewpewlazerzman]

Does anyone else have extreme trouble reading some of the stuff people tag?
There is a walmart near where i live and people hang out ther all the time. The back and side walls are almost totaly grafittied over. I love it. it looks sooooo cool but i cant help but stand there and think WTF DOES IT SAY??!!? I think if there is ever a revolution against the US government that the rebels could comunicate by grafitting their messages on walls and then nobody exept them could read it lol. My mind works in strange ways. lol. toast

my girlfriend is really really into graf, and she got me reading a lot about it. graffiti brasil is an absolutely beautiful book, i recommend it for reasons like this:

I recently got back from a trip to crete and in a town there (Matala) there is grafiti everywhere. It looks totaly BA. Along a breakwater there is spraypainted the message "Live life today, Tomorrow never comes". Right at the base of the wall there is a bar/tavern with a sign that says "free beer tomorrow" lol.

 

[Xahki]

I think some look cool, but I don't approve of it =/ Even if someone painted, for example, Optimus Prime saying "this way to Cybertron" on a bridge, I'd think it was cool, but someone has to clean that up later. And those artists should find something else to do besides vandalizing the city, like sleeping at night or cutting themselves.

And if that's House, Sleep's avi is win

 

[Dragon-Shinobi]

I like graffiti if it's done well, and not just some scribbles and "(insert persons name) was here".