(Click)
Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?
There is a lot of controversy over the modern phenomina known as "graffiti". Some consider it to be a niussance to be disposed of, others greet it with open arms, citing the vast artistic value created when a human being paints a wall. It is my position that graffiti, when properly executed, can be a very aesthetically pleasing addition to an otherwise gray landscape. However, if it is misused and allowed to occur haphazardly, the once pleasing-to-the-eye artwork can have the opposite effect, becoming an eyesore and carrying legal reprocussions.
Graffiti Compared to
the Elements and Principles of Art
Annotated Bibliography
- Newspapers and Journals -
Bolye, Catherine. "Spraying Between the Lines." Times Educational Supplement. (June 2005): 24-25.
There is an effort in London, England to legalize graffiti within the Oakland Schools. This will allow the students to explore the qualities of graffiti and all it has to offer. Classes anf demonstrations will be offered for students who want to learn more about history and the techniques that come from graffiti. The legalization of graffiti within schools is a more appropriate approach than having kids running wild scribbling porfanity across public property. I feel that making these efforts allow for improved techniques, quality art work, and hopefully less vandalism found on the streets.
Dalbey, Beth. "Recruiting Tool: Des Moines is Afraid of Spray Paint." Des Monines Business Record 23 (August 2005): 31.
In Des Moines, Iowa there has been talk of the increasing issue of vandalism along the walls of schools, stores, and homes. The families are concerned because they do not want their children to be subjeted to the violence and vandalism represented on the walls. The approach in which they are taking to solve the current problem is to reduce the amount of spray paints found on shelves. Of course, in my opinion, one must take note of the many other supplies that are available. So will this particular approach accomplish the goal De Moines residences are searching for? I am not quite sure if I would get my hopes up but this action could never-the-less lead to surprising outcomes.
"Graffiti Artists See the Light." The Times Educational Supplement (May 2005): 4.
U.K. graffiti artist Mohammed Ali began going from school to school in efforts to end vandalism within local school systems. Ali allows kids to express themselves on canvas, still using spray paint, instead of floors and walls found on school property. I feel that this piece shows that there are efforts out there to help kids stay out of trouble and still be able to express their inner beauty. The program, headed by a graffiti artist, allows kids to see that you do not have to vandalize to express yourself or be heard.
Green, Penelope. "Using Graffiti as a Decorating Tool." The New York Times (April 2005):1.
The graffiti art of Hugo Martinez goes beyond the streets and billboards of the city. Martinez started a small group that became "The Project in the Projects," in which he searches for young to middle aged vandals in the most extreme places in efforts that they will join this team. Currently Martinez is working on an appartment/studio of a close friend where he and hs new team will transform dull, boring walls into magnificant works of art. "Mr. Martinez's team has done what graffitists the world over do - which is to mark up private property. Whether the result is enchantment or defacement is up to the beholder." You cannot change the way one looks at graffiti. I see it as an artform but it is up to the beholder to determine that or themselves. I do however feel that taking vandalism off the streets is better for our society. Taking graffit and placing it elsewhere, still to be recognized is the more appropriate way of dealing with the guidlines between art and vandalism.
Komrska, Shelley. "Walls of Time." School Arts 104 (February 2005): 24-25.
Shelley Komrska brings together the eras of wall art from prehistoric cave paintings; anciet Egyptian burial paintings all the way to today's current graffiti art. We learn the short history of each and how they are tied together. I feel that it is important to learn about more traditional paintings and etchings that were found on walls previous to spray cans. I enjoyed this article and felt that taking notice of the ties between the different stages of wall art is important for the justification of graffiti art which involves more of the art aspects than just graffiti.
Rutenberg, Jim. "City Revokes Party Permit Over Exhibition with Graffiti." The New York Times (August 2005): 5.
On August 24, 2005 a block party celebrating graffiti, held by fashion designer Marc Ecko, was revoked and seen before the party of various community leaders. City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. said that it was "promoting criminal acts," when all it really was doing was promoting a video game that was devoted to graffiti. Later, Mr. Ecko was allowed to apply for another permit because the city council was unaware of the true promotional efforts. I feel that this piece shows exactly how people react to graffiti. We hear the word graffiti and panic. Graffiti, in my opinion, is not what is being, promoted; it's the art and the expression that lies within it.
- Internet -
Art: 21. 2005. Available Online: <http://www.pbs.org/art21/discuss/archive/graffiti.html> [28 September 2005]
Art 21 is a video that is dedicated to contemporary art that features many different artists from all over the country who are not afraid to step outside the box. One page on the website offers a discussion board that displays all the thoughts and feelings from everyday people to artists all around the world. A major discussion was on the topic of graffiti and the thoughts that came from it. To be able to view other thoughts on graffiti, other than the thoughts of city or government officials, helped broaden my horizens. It is important when doing research to not look over the thoughts of everyday people, espically those that live around it everyday. Reading over various responses was very enjoyable and interesting experience.
Art Crimes: The Writing on the Wall. May 1994. Available Online: <http://www.graffiti.org> [25 September 2005]
Art Crimes: The Writing in the Wall, is dedicated to the works of graffiti art. Even though they do not advocate breaking the law they still feel that these works should be vieweed. This website features graffiti from all around the world even right here in Baltimore. There are special featres and resources that lead to other graffiti websites that were very helpful in my learning process. This website, for me, was espically helpful in the sense that it provides works that turn graffiti into graffiti art. I do not think one can judge graffiti until they see the work and detail that goes into one piece that may take up to weeks to finish.
Davenport, Matt. Graffiti is Art. 3 December 2002. Available Online: <http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/students/2002/12/graffiti_is_art.shtml.> [19 September 2005]
After years of trying to end the war on vandalism, Nottingham officials have come to the conclusion that "the tagging of walls, bus stops, almost everything, is always going to happen; it is part of our city culture now." Police and city councilman have approached different ideas to end this epidemic. Laws including, being eighteen years old to purchase spray paint and installing CCTV cameras along streets to monitor certain hot spots. These and other efforts all have been active throughout the city. Nottingham believes that the only real way to cut back on vandalism is to legalize graffiti in certain areas of the city for kids to express themselves on. Matt Davenport feels that "graffiti is an art form that is a positive outlook which we defiantly need to recognize." I fully agree with Davenport's thoughts. If one can not accept the fact that graffiti is alive in today's society one should maybe look at it from the artist's point of view. Graffiti will always be alive in cities across the world no matter how hard officials try.
Duffy, Jonathan. The Plan to 'Legalize' Graffiti. 5 November 2002. Available Online: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2383725.stm [20 September 2005]
The problem with trying to get rid of graffiti art all together is that in the end it only leads to the return or the artist being inspired to go somewhere else. So instead of stamping it out competely Great Britian would like to use it as great murals all around the city. It seems that organized graffiti projects are accepted as art murals around the city. It seems that organizing opportunities for graffiti artists to express themselves legally is a great way to stamp out vandalism. Even though this attempt may not stamp out the continuing problem with vandals it is a start that can lead to unbelievable outcomes.
Koch, Kathleen. Graffiti: Art or Vandalism? 23 March 1996. Available Online: <http://cnn.com/US/19603/graffiti_art/> [28 September 2005]
In Washington, D.C. efforts need to be made in order to keep streets clean. Graffiti has become a threat towards those who live in the community for years. Several approaches that officials are taking in order to clean up the streets are: zero toleration, vines, and internet graffiti. Zero tolerance would involve clean up within 24 hours of fresh graffiti sitings. It has been noted that the longer vandalism remains the more welcoming it is for others to come along and make their mark. The second approach is the growing of vines along the walls. This will prevent and cover up current issues that have sparked up. This approach will also save money that was going towards the cleaning up of vandalism. Finally, graffiti on the internet can allow kids to still show their work and express themselves without harming the communities that live near by.
Sartwell, Crispin. Vandalism, Art, and Advertising. 8 Aaugust 2003. Available Online: <http://www.crispinsartwell.com/grafad.htm> [28 September 2005]
Graffiti has been apart of many different people's lives whether they want to believe it or not. Graffiti is found in magazines, art galleries, advertising, and legal mural painting. Crispin Sartwell declares graffiti a "traditional art." He compares the "vandalism" of graffiti to that of Corporate America, through the logos of McDonalds to the gigantic Wal-Mart billboards along every road in the United States. In my opinion this is very true for today's society. Who is to say what can be considered vandalism and what can not? I feel that this site, even though it was not a legitimate web page, had great input into ones ideas and I would recommend that readers take a look over his thoughts and ideas on the issue of graffiti.
Wong, Matthew. Graffiti Wall. 11 December 1997. Available Online: <http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/1997/12/12-12-97tdc/12-12-97d05-002.asp> [20 September 2005]
Discovering graffiti on the Penn State University campus is much unexpected. What is very lively in city areas is becoming apart of the rural lifestyle, but do graffiti artists know the difference between graffiti and graffit art? Of course anyone can take a spray can and scribble names and curse words across walls and streets, but the true test is whether one can create works of art depicting a message with just a can of spray paint? Wong reveals the graffiti that has appreared on the college campus, but since the problem is not out of contril the incidents have not increased. Wong interviews a Penn State graffiti artist that says he has lost his true drive for the art of graffiti since it is considered illegal across the campus. This article gives us something that the others do not, it allows us to see the views of college students. Teaching us what various terms mean and gives us insight about what they feel towards graffiti across campus. This article teaches us various terms directed towards graffiti as well as input from various college students.
- Books -
Sommer, Robert. Street Art. New York: Links Books, 1975.
The definition of graffiti in which Robert Sommer's lays out for us is the "incriptions on rocks, walls, etc." His book, Street Art, gives readers a full documentation of what he feels to be the difference between graffiti and graffiti art. His book is filled with great pictures that truly define the dramatic difference. His books also discuss' the forms of street art, politcs behind street art, and the history of wall art in the United States as well as other Countries. Seeing beautiful murals and "tags" along side one another can really put into perspective what graffiti really is. "Most graffiti are not art, but the issues they raise are relevant to legitimate art forms." I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in city murals. The pictures that are produced in this short book are wonderful and contagious.
Preble, Duane and Sarah. Artforms. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2004.
Artforms is an art appreciation text book that I happened to save from Freshman year. It contains information on every art period and artist that you can think of. It was very helpful to me because it gave me the start to steps that would lead me to the topic of my website. Even though it lacked information on the topic of graffiti and graffiti art, it produced great images and definitions that helped me out in the long run.