Is Graffiti Art?

[dave mcnasty]

I'm writing a proposal for a documentary and I'd like to see what some people think.

And if there are some people that do graf that might be interested in being in the documentary or being interviewed at some point that would be cool too.

So the big question is: Is graffiti art?

Is it vandalism?

Are there forms of graffiti that are artistic, and others that are not?

What constitutes art?

There are many questions that come to mind but those are few to start with.

[Bevvy Swift]

murals = art
tags = vandalism

id say the chicken scratch taggers ruin graffiti for the real artists, but i know better. ironically enough, the fact that most mural painters were chicken scratch taggers at one point, obiously contributed to thier artistic ability and adaptability to the quirks of outdoor wall painting (vs. indoor canvas)..

so yea obviously its tough to draw lines

^ hehehe

[Clayton.]

It's all vandalism.

[b0ld]

Take a trip out to Montreal... spend 3 weeks... Go through the alley's.. random streets... etc... Even go to the suburbs and you'll have your documentary fulfilled and completed.

[Phrenetic]

if coloring on the walls when you were 3 got you in trouble than i take it its a crime now

[Courtney]

tags- not art
I do think some graffiti is amazing, however unless it is on completely abandoned property I don't have much respect for the artists doing it. If you want to make a statement and be respected for what you do don't vandalize churches,schools etc. I personally don't have a problem wiht it if its a beautiful piece but society usually does so you are really not making a good case for yourself as an artist, and also devaluing other artists out there.
An ugly grey alley-ok
A brand new building-not so ok

[brit]

You know what pisses me off, adults who suck at graffiti but won't give it up because they have no other way to feel apart of anything.

If you have no artistic ability, please just stop, back away from the can.

[-evil-duerr-]

my opinion is that tagging is to grafitti(murals) as what public washroom stall etchings are to literature.

with that said, good grafitti is both art and a crime. painting on other peoples property isn't cool no matter how pretty it looks.

I can appreciate the technique and skill that goes into the work, but the coulture is obnoxious as fuck..

[brit]

It's like anything else; people take it, do what they want with it and destroy it. Graffiti is art, and i'm sorry but that includes 'tags'. It's the abuse of the culture that irratates people whether they can recognize that fact or not; I think even the most grumpy old buggers on earth would agree a 'talented' graffiti artist is indeed an artist.

[.Promoter]

No.

Contracted Murals, Yes.

[ebbomega]

Yes it is. All of it. Even if the sole appreciative audience is the artist, it still represents a relationship between the creator and the work, thus it is art.

Even tagging. I've seen some excellently creative tags. I've seen a lot that just plain suck but I'm not about to go say that indie isn't music because I think Belle & Sebastian blow goats.

Just because something is sanctioned doesn't make it art.

Is it vandalism? In many cases yes. But vandalism and art are not exclusive domains. Civil Disobedience is some of the most powerful art in the world.

[A-BOMB]

It's not just art..it's FREE art.

[tiedye]

Graffiti is only vandalism when it's done on private or public property without due consent from the respective authority. Vandalism can, however, be Art regardless of legality.

Montreal is filled with amazing graff murals that rival world class canvas-and-brush painters in many cases.

[mithridate]

i feel that art constitutes ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. :) its all about how you choose to perceive it, and how it is in YOUR world for YOU.

[Clayton.]

Sounds like we've got some experts on the subject in here.


Property is bullshit...nobody really owns anything.

[stabmyhead]

I hate when idiots put their shitty tag over REAL artist works, just makes me want to kick them in the nuts/clam.

[Some dude]

Originally Posted by dave mcnasty

I
So the big question is: Is graffiti art?

Is it vandalism?

Are there forms of graffiti that are artistic, and others that are not?

What constitutes art?

Some of it.

All of it.

Yes.

I say it's art.

[Lush]

I can't believe some of you are debating graffiti as art, of course it's art - have you seen some of the shit that passes for art these days, it's simply a form of artistic expression using a different medium (spray pain markers and ink) and in my personal opinion a completely under appreciated culture.

It's all artistic it's just a matter of preference, I love tags/bombs/pieces but not ALL of them, it really comes down to the artist and location. There are certain tags, even with etch that I've seen that are tasteful. Down in LA a lot of business and stores have funded crews like MSK to paint murals all along their side (Gower Street is a great example of this).

I think that the city should provide more free walls or fund more murals because I really think that graffiti adds some depth to a lot of the walls in the city, the architecture in Vancouver is SO boring and I think that graffiti can be used to make some walls and freights more aesthetically pleasing. I also think that the issue of vandalism has become a touchy subject since the city imposed laws where business owners are now responsible for getting rid of graffiti from their property and if they don't they are obligated to pay a fine. I think that definitely contributes to the negative connotations associated with graffiti and gives people the feeling that it is all vandalism.

[G3N3R4L]

using graffiti to clean..

someone posted this on here before.. but it deserves another viewing

[gnosis]

Van and N. Van have some really cred pieces!

Some of the most eye-popping pieces I've ever seen was in Barcelona!

Commenting on it, a couple of times, I got the same response from the locals, there: Barcelona respects art for "art". If it's "good", the city allows it to remain (natch, w/ all the creds: non-racist/offensive/hate...)

GO!, BANKSY (et al)!!!!!!!!!

Frosty
(loves renegade art)

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by Lush

I think that the city should provide more free walls or fund more murals because I really think that graffiti adds some depth to a lot of the walls in the city, the architecture in Vancouver is SO boring and I think that graffiti can be used to make some walls and freights more aesthetically pleasing.

Someone's been getting your letters..

[robyn]

no. but you know what is art? wienerquariams

YouTube - The Village Petstore and Charcoal Grill - Sausages

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by robyn

no. but you know what is art? wienerquariams

YouTube - The Village Petstore and Charcoal Grill - Sausages

i don't know what's more odd. the video, or the referral site you found it through.

[lildonkey]

no.. but bodypaint on nude girls at clubs is 100% art

[lildonkey]

this is art