Art or Crime?

Should graffiti be seen as art, or vandalism? Under different circumstanse, i believe that graffiti should be recognized as vandalism. Yes graffiti might look like art and can be created with the intent of being art but its also vandalism. If/without owners permission to create art its vandalism which is illegal, which should not be considered art. That’s my claim on is Graffiti art or not art.

There’s different times and scenarios where it is accetable. I can understand if some people try to argue it is because there “painting” or drawing but there doing so illegally like for example “It hardly makes sense to encourage these artists to deface public property, and so commit a crime”(Dolan). There is a difference between Vandalism and art and some people need to understand that. If said Artist had permission to put some art or designs on a building from its owner is understandable arguing it is from that point of perspective but that doesn’t go for all graffiti cases. Not necessary saying the only seperation between artist or criminals in permission but it could also be what it is there spray painting, obviously permission is a huge part but there’s more too it then just that. Although some art can be beautiful as well as illegal, like art in the wrong spot. Someone dies in ally or street and someone spray paints a beautiful memorial or tribute to them, even if its illegal it can still be art in some circumstances. Not all graffiti is inappropiate language.

It is a crime because even though some argue that it’s art, it usually violates/breaks laws by being made in places that aren’t legal. They deface public as well as private property without permission from the owner of the property “If it wasn’t for the fact that most graffiti is placed on private property without the owner’s permission, then it might be more recognized as a legitimate form of art”(Dolan). Imagine someone defaces your house or business with inappropriate language or images without your permission, you most likely would not be happy. Picture someone spray painting all kinds of inappropiate language, images or different political views, artist or even a sports team you do not like. Picture someone spray painted the Denver Nuggets or Houston Rockets basketball teams on my house you wouldn’t not be happy.That’s why i think graffiti is a crime rather art.

“RSP Grafitti” by .Jelly is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.