Rattle Cans

It’s been a long-running argument about whether graffiti is art or vandalism, but it really is a great question. I think the idea of graffiti isn’t necessarily vandalism or bad when it’s done correctly. It’s a type of personal art done by people to try and show their art and let their creativity flow. However, when the graffiti being done is simply tags, usually short words or collections of letters in a special font to each specific person, I think it lacks the artistic traits and merit of actual art.

Graffiti can be done in pretty much any space, and I think that’s a part of the magic of it all. Sometimes you see a piece done high on a wall, or in a place one would assume as inaccessible, but it makes you wonder “how’d they do that” It at least makes me wonder that, and it also drives another appreciation for it, that they were able to get to wherever the art was done, and then after getting into that spot, were able to execute such a job with a rattle can or paint marker, that I can’t even do with a pencil on a piece of paper infront of me, I feel like it shows the passion they have for it, that there driven to get to whatever spot it may be, and then once their there, they stop to let there creative ability be put on show for everyone to see “you can travel almost anywhere in the world, and you will probably see graffiti” (Dolan). And I think that’s a wonderful thing about it, it has no boundaries, it’s not contained within anything, it’s like a visual and mental image of freedom, anywhere, anytime, by anyone, graffiti doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t know boundaries.

Now, even though I don’t think graffiti is a bad thing at all, I can see the argument saying it is. Often tts on private property owned by someone else, and they don’t have permission, I can see where that could be problematic, and when its not on private propertys, its done on public propertie, seen by some who may not want to see it all the time, or complain its not visually appealing, but I find, generaly the people who complain about grafitii the most is the older group of people. And to that I say, I’m sure you did plenty in your childhood that you weren’t meant to, got into trouble, vandalized, and tried expressing yourself in many ways. So how come when you become older, and the newer generation arises, doing the same things, trying to express themselves in the same, or different ways, why is it wrong, no? If it was okay for you to do it, can you really, truly, say that it’s not right for generations now to do it? That seems like it’s heavily rooted in a hypocritical belief system, and it’s not as if art and graffiti are mindless. “Larger pieces require planning and imagination and contain artistic elements like color and composition”(Stowers), all things unique to each person, and change depending on their experiences and beliefs, just like all other forms of art.

And another idea, some say, “Maybe we need to start at a very basic level and find a way to encourage the creation of graffiti art on paper or canvas, rather than walls.” (Dolan). But the idea of graffiti is being able to be seen, be big and free, so rather than try to confine the artists to canvas or paper, why do we supply areas? Give them places and walls where they can show their creative ideas. Perhaps if, instead of trying to stop and limit the artists, you help them, you give them supplies, you enable them. If you begin to respect them, I’m sure that they’d be able to gain a mutual respect and try to stick to areas where they’re intended to be. Give communities areas where it’s okay and intended to be painted on.

In conclusion, I think that Graffiti is art, aside from the “monochrome collection of letters, known as a tag, with little artistic merit”(Dolan). Graffiti is absolutely a form of art, a visualization of freedom and creativity, and a rebellion against the systems and ideas that the artists are against. And helps oneself express their feelings fluently. I believe instead of punishing and trying to stop the expression of people, we should help, show them they have places to do it without any repercussion, and show it’s safe to put their mind into art on a wall. A canvas doesn’t just have to be a piece of cloth; it’s something where someone can place their ideas clearly. We should begin to accept the art, and hopefully, people will be able to, and begin to see the expressive values, and how it truly is a reflection of one’s ideas.

“Graffiti Art” by Bytemarks is licensed under CC BY 2.0.