Art or Vandalism?

In unit 3 of A Nation’s Argument we learned about segregation, mainly looking at how each generation of blacks are oppressed in different ways. For a FE we went to the Newberry Library, to explore an exhibit that had articles and pictures of ways each decade changed in the oppression of black people. After this, we looked at the thesis of the arguments made by the government and whites, and the other side’s view, also known as the antithesis. This learning led me to the action project, we had to pick a topic that is controversial so it has two sides to it. Then we have to side with a position on this topic, and then talk about that position and talk about the opposite position. Then create a synthesis to see a middle ground of where they can work together. The topic I chose was graffiti: is it art or vandalism. I argue that graffiti is art, and as such, should not be considered an illegal activity. Something I liked about this project was getting to see the other side because I like to think of all sides and try to find a middle point for everything. Please enjoy reading about why I think graffiti should be seen as an art-form.

Meneses, Jaume. “Graffiti als Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies.” 2007. Wikicommons. Web. Mar. 16.2016

Thesis:

Graffiti is something that I have liked, mainly because I can draw letters better than characters. Aside from that, graffiti, something I once thought was vandalism, I see now as art. So why doesn’t everyone else see it that way? Well, that is simply because not many people have gotten to know it like I have. Most people just see a name, a “tag”, an image spray-painted on a wall. They don't see any art within the writing itself. Graffiti has not been seen as art, simply because it is writing more than actually making a piece of art, like drawing a character or landscape. To this point I argue that poetry is an art-form comprised of words, so, is it that the speaking of words that qualifies poetic language as art? Graffiti has a message behind it, which is really that these artists just want to be recognized by everyone and anyone. Whereas many other artists have to work so much harder to get recognized, like going to art shows and trying to sell it. Graffiti is special in the way that:

• You get a rush from doing it.
• Anyone can do it.
• It is the longest art from to have always been popular.

Think about that -- many art-forms die or lose popularity, like fresco, those types of painting were so big. Then they just died off, people found other things, other art-forms that interested them more. Graffiti, however, is becoming “immortal” because it was created in the 1980s, and is still talked about and seen everywhere. Also graffiti does make jobs for people in some ways; the city will hire people to clean the spots where the artists tagged. The person cleaning it can get money for their family or themselves.

Vandalism means: “action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.” When someone is tagging they aren’t putting damage to the surface, they are only adding to what is there, which could be removed easily.

Having stated that, graffiti doesn’t destruct or damage any of the property, but simply adds to it. Calling graffiti vandalism is basically calling it something it couldn’t be. I think that graffiti doesn’t always have to be something put on a wall that is public or private. It can in your notebook, on a canvas, anywhere. I think graffiti has just got a bad rap because many people, who aren’t in the art community maybe, see it as vandalism.

Support for Thesis:

“Graffiti has been used for years and years, from drawing on walls by the cavemen to the claiming of cities by the ancient Romans. It also has given cities a unique flare. Graffiti is a way for people to express themselves and show their imagination and creativity.” - Lloyd, Alexis. "Could Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art?" The Antelope Valley Times. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

“Buildings that are “tagged” have a more personal feel than buildings with plain white walls.  Because of the appreciation for graffiti’s beauty, instead of viewing graffiti as vandalism, many realize the amount of skill necessary to create the street art and appreciate the message it delivers.  Many people admire Keith Haring, a famous graffiti artist from the 80s known for his artwork around New York City.  Haring’s artwork is so widely known that the city has embraced its presence around the city.” - Delavari, Sami. "Graffiti Should Be Recognized as Art, Not Vandalism." Calabasas Courier Online. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

“Graffiti is a form of art for those who can’t afford high end art supplies, or even go to an art class. Many of those doing graffiti art are very talented; they have a knack for the art they put out there. It is very hard to get it perfect so it takes talent. It is a way for them to be noticed; by their art. Sure, there are right and wrong places to be doing graffiti, but graffiti should indeed be considered art.” - Krey, Nicole. "Is Graffiti Art?" On the Prowl. 20 Nov. 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

Antithesis:

For the other side who see graffiti as vandalism, see graffiti like this because they are taking property that someone owns, and doing whatever they want to it. You don’t want to have this nice house and then your kid writes all over the walls-- no, it looks messy then. People/the city owns these things that these “artists” are tagging, the building then has to be fixed using the owner’s money. “Whether particular viewers find any given piece of graffiti artistically, is irrelevant. Graffiti’s most salient characteristic is that it is a crime.” -  MacDonald, Heather. “Graffiti Is Always Vandalism.” New York Times. Nytimes.com. 2014. Web. Mar. 2016. Also, some graffiti artists think tagging something means they own it, like how a signature at the bottom of a painting means the person made it. Some graffiti artists think that because they do this, they own the building, mailbox, newspaper stand, etc. So upon which they’ve made their artistic mark someone who works hard to build this building and make it their own, is ruined just because an artist writes their name saying it is theirs now.

Francki. “Garage Door Graffiti-Vandalism.” 2010. Wikicommons. Web. Mar. 16th, 2016

Synthesis:

Both sides can agree that graffiti is writing a tag, or handstyle on a surface, whether it be canvas or spray painted on someone's building. Secondly, we can agree that graffiti will be done illegally no matter what, since that is part of the point of doing it. Any city should try to legalize it, in all public areas. Then maybe the rush of doing graffiti illegally is gone. This will tell who is really doing it for the art of graffiti. Which matters, because it should be done for the artist expression, not for the fact that it is just illegal. Or another compromise would to make spots around the city for these artists to tag, so they can still get their name out in the art community. The city should try to speak with Brazil, because the Pandolfo twins, famous graffiti artists, made graffiti legal there and they work to make Brazil a more artistic place. They even work with the government to make graffiti and street art better.

Conspiracytheory74. “Os Gemeos Tag” 2013. Flickr. Web. Mar. 16, 2016.

Questions for graffiti artists:

1. How would a you feel if someone tagged your house?
2. Should graffiti become legalized, so the rush of doing it is lost?

Questions for people who think it is vandalism:

3. Why do many people perceive the graffiti as vandalism, and not actual art?

Question for you:

4. What do you see it as? Why?

Conclusion:

My synthesis is something that has made me wonder now, “what if?”-- what if we could make either of suggestions happen. Would it turn out better, or would these graffiti artists rebel even more than most do I would definitely like this, because I have talked to graffiti artists and some say they don’t want to do it illegally because they don’t want to be arrested. I think this would help them look better, and have this fear for trying to do something that they love. Then again, many like the rush of doing it illegally -- and take away that rush and there could really be a lion. This is such a seemingly minor issue that no one really talks a lot about, and I want people to think about it.