Is Graffiti Art?

[dave mcnasty]

Well it seems to me that most people's responses are usually based on whether the graffiti is good or not, or if it is legal.

Does that mean something isn't art because it looks bad? Or because it's on private property?

I think Picasso has some pretty ugly pieces, in fact hundreds of artists make pieces that could be considered ugly or "stupid" or "pointless" or even illegal. Does that mean they are not art?

[gnosis]

OK, then, lad.

Take us all back to your first post and _define_ art.

From what I understand, historically, "art" is a visual piece that at once both reflects and comments on the state of society/humanity of the contemporary time.

Which is why it's been said that to truly appreciate "art", one must have some grasp of the life and times of the artist when the piece was created.

No?

Frosty
(awaits clarification)

[dave mcnasty]

So if it does not comment on the state of society or humanity it's not art?

I think any product of creativity can be considered art. That includes tags that are "ugly".