Art or Vandalism?

People have debated graffiti for years. Some people see it as a way for people to express themselves through art, while others think it is vandalism that harms property. After reading Steve Dolan’s article “Is Graffiti Art?” and the article “Graffiti as vandalism” I think Graffiti can be art, but if it is done without permission, it should be called vandalism. Whether graffiti is art or vandalism depends on where it is, whether it is legal, and how it affects the community.

People who support graffiti as art believe that some graffiti shows real talent and creativity. In “Is Graffiti Art?” Dolan explains that tagging is the most common type of graffiti; “there are bigger, more accomplished examples that appear on larger spaces, such as walls.” These types of graffiti often include bright colors and detailed designs. However, Dolan also explains why Graffiti is usually not accepted by saying that, “most graffiti is placed on private property without the owner’s permission.” This shows that the main issue is not always the artwork, but the fact that it’s not done with consent.

Even though graffiti can be artistic, it is usually seen as vandalism because it causes problems for communities. The article “Graffiti as Vandilism” says that graffiti ” Becomes costly for taxpayers and businesses, and property owners.” Cities have to spend a lot of money to have graffiti removed, which could be used for more important needs. The article also explains that “A heavily vandalized area will experience increases in other sorts of crimes as well.” This can make neighborhoods feel unsafe and give people a bad impression of the area.

In conclusion, graffiti falls somewhere between art and vandalism. Some graffiti clearly shows creativity and skill, but when it is done illegally and causes harm, it becomes vandalism. For the city of Coniva, a fair solution would be to stop illegal graffiti while allowing approved murals so artists can express themselves in a positive way.

“Grafitti Art” by cheryljns is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.