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 Intrinsic
      
Location: Collingwood
Gender: Male
 |  | Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
< on 12/11/2010 3:08 PM >
|  | | | Detroit is a visual city. From the streamlined aesthetic of Wayne State to the glimmering downtown view of Windsor and the casinos, the city has a distinct look. The architecture is renaissance, the design is modern and the graffiti is rampant.
From the central area of the city, the neighborhoods are crawling with scrawling paint. Entire streets filled with abandoned buildings are also filled with color and purpose.
The words “Gasm” and “Marm” are commonplace on walls and doors. The lines that craft the letters are filled in beautifully. It seems that whoever is spraying and tagging these decrepit lots and buildings is proud of his or her work.
Detroit is well-known for entire neighborhoods in shambles and falling apart, and while some of this graffiti may be gang-related, it’s still a conversation happening in the city.
Graffiti always comes in giant groups surrounding each other, much like a bathroom wall; it’s a discourse. One wall has the word “Sham” written in giant green letters on it. From the word are two arrows pointing to two other pieces of graffiti signifying a different language and approach to art.
One artist, who approached me while I happened to be looking at his graffiti, said it really is like a conversation.
“When there’s a building and there’s good graffiti on it I’ll leave it alone but if there’s some really bad stuff on it I’ll draw a red check mark next to it, or a check mark with a red line through it, to let them know how I feel,” the artist, “Kef,” said. “And some people do the same to my stuff. We’re talking to each other.”
Kef specializes in African graffiti and graffiti art. He paints silhouettes of African women and children on walls and crafts elephants and walking men with staffs. He and his brother work down Oakland Street to brighten the area, specifically by covering an old church in peace signs and helping to create the North End Community Gardens, he said. They have crafted a giant flower that sits as a monument outside the garden, he said.
While most of the graffiti downtown feels like signatures and quickly drawn symbols, large community projects like the North End Gardens and the wall known as the Illuminated Mural at Brush Street and Grand Boulevard, are extraordinary.
The mural remains on the wall of an abandoned factory. Created in 2009 by the Public Arts Detroit, it stands at least 50 feet tall. The bright blue wall has colors cascading down its entire length making it a beacon for anyone who can see it.
More communities need to work together and create things like the North End Gardens or the Illuminated Mural to show two things: First, it would bring children and adults of a community together to create something beautiful; and second, large-scale community art projects bring value to the neighborhood and brighten the lives of those who live there.
Graffiti, and all art, is never a bad thing, as long as it isn’t done in a destructive way. Obviously it has been deemed illegal, but that has become the beauty of graffiti recently.
Big-name artists like Bansky and Detroit’s own Trtl have brightened and enlightened people with their art.
Real graffiti artists like Kef aren’t threatened by the gang symbols and tags up in neighborhoods, mainly because he knows they are bad pieces of art. True graffiti, art that remains in city projects and enriches the culture of the neighborhood, trumps scribbles any day.
And if some teenager wants to write curse words or gang signs on a store front then fine, but don’t gratify his actions by calling him a graffiti artist. He’s a vandal and a delinquent, plain and simple.
The word graffiti has become an all-too-dirty word and it needs to be restored, or revamped, much like the great city it inhabits.
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Ogre Battle
Location: Chicago IL
Gender: Male
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 1 on 12/11/2010 7:49 PM >
| | | | Sorry, but no. Graffiti is right up there with smashing stuff, breaking windows, etc. I don't like it.
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iThink
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Gender: Male
From up here the city lights burn like a thousand miles of fire.
| |  | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 2 on 12/11/2010 8:17 PM >
| | | | Posted by Ogre Battle
Sorry, but no. Graffiti is right up there with smashing stuff, breaking windows, etc. I don't like it.
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Read the whole article, especially the last five paragraphs
Real street art conveys a truth not just some half-assed gang sign.
KUDOS!
http://www.subordinateobject.com/
<----->
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ithink_/ |
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Ogre Battle
Location: Chicago IL
Gender: Male
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 3 on 12/11/2010 9:20 PM >
| | | | Posted by iThink
Read the whole article, especially the last five paragraphs
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I did, but still don't like it.
Whatever, though. Surely the original poster realized not everyone would agree.
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heinrick
Location: Cascadia
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 4 on 12/11/2010 9:37 PM >
| | | | We've been here before dozens of times.
It doesn't matter what any of us think. We're all still doing illegal shit.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/heinrick05/ |
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Anarchysoda
Location: Ft Carson, CO/Cinci, OH
Gender: Male
Who run barter town?
| | | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 5 on 12/12/2010 7:53 AM >
| | | | Posted by heinrick
We've been here before dozens of times.
It doesn't matter what any of us think. We're all still doing illegal shit.
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Agreed. I understand why someone wouldnt think its right, but when your doing something illegal like trespassing, is it really your place to criticize someone for drawing on a wall? Or breaking one window when theres already 100 other broken windows next to it? Idk, maybe I'm wrong and this is just my thinking when I'm dead tired.
http://www.flickr....otos/11381630@N03/ |
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Intrinsic
Location: Collingwood
Gender: Male
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 6 on 12/12/2010 7:56 AM >
| | | | Posted by Anarchysoda
Agreed. I understand why someone wouldnt think its right, but when your doing something illegal like trespassing, is it really your place to criticize someone for drawing on a wall? Or breaking one window when theres already 100 other broken windows next to it? Idk, maybe I'm wrong and this is just my thinking when I'm dead tired.
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Well lets say 100 photographers come and go... they don't break anything, they don't spray paint anything. By the time the 101st person visits a location, it's much the same as it was for the 1st person.
By that logic, if 100 vandals come in and smash one window apiece and leave one tag apiece, by the time the 101st person visits the location - it looks like shit.
But I don't want to start an ethical debate. I found the article this morning and thought it might be of interest.
(Edit: trespassing is wrong, yes. but it doesn't change the appearance of a location whereas vandalism does)
[last edit 12/12/2010 7:58 AM by Intrinsic - edited 1 times]
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Anarchysoda
Location: Ft Carson, CO/Cinci, OH
Gender: Male
Who run barter town?
| | | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 7 on 12/12/2010 8:14 AM >
| | | | Posted by Intrinsic
Well lets say 100 photographers come and go... they don't break anything, they don't spray paint anything. By the time the 101st person visits a location, it's much the same as it was for the 1st person.
By that logic, if 100 vandals come in and smash one window apiece and leave one tag apiece, by the time the 101st person visits the location - it looks like shit.
But I don't want to start an ethical debate. I found the article this morning and thought it might be of interest.
(Edit: trespassing is wrong, yes. but it doesn't change the appearance of a location whereas vandalism does)
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well piss, you got me. i see your point.
http://www.flickr....otos/11381630@N03/ |
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Ogre Battle
Location: Chicago IL
Gender: Male
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 8 on 12/12/2010 1:49 PM >
| | | | But if I'm driving by and see a piece of graffiti, I'm not trespassing at all. In some cities its everywhere.
I agree, if I trespass its illegal. Does it somehow become less illegal if I justify my presence there by creating some "art"?
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Rjkd12
Location: Lincoln Park
Gender: Male
| |  |  | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 9 on 12/15/2010 9:22 PM >
| | | | Well, I'll give my two cents.
First, part of the reason why I like the look of abandoned buildings are the broken windows and the graffiti. It definitely adds to the image of a place. That doesn't mean I want to be the guy who writes on stuff or breaks stuff or I think its OK to do.
Just like I appreciate whoever cuts the hole in the fence to give access or who breaks the window/pries the board away so I can get inside, I (sometimes) appreciate the person who does really attractive graffiti or who breaks out enough windows to improve the look of the building in photos. Again though, I personally prefer not to permanently alter the place I'm visiting at all.
For every piece of nice graffiti though, there are probably hundreds of crappy name scribbling and boob cartoons and those are just a waste. So while graffiti can be attractive, most of the time its scribbles and just ruins stuff.
So UE without graffiti is like going to a comedy club that doesn't serve alcohol. It may be a semi-integral part that some appreciate, but lets all be responsible and not ruin it for everyone else with careless over-indulgence. Nobody cares if you really did "have sex with a girl in that chair -->"
Lastly, equating trespassing and tagging is ridiculous. Just because two things are illegal doesn't mean they are the same or have the same consequences. As someone else said, I can take a million pictures, good or bad, and the place is well preserved for the next person who wants to "appreciate" the building. Tagging a wall and breaking a window are both permanent and will alter the place not only for me, but for everyone else who visits it.
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Spike
Location: New Zealand
Gender: Male
Rapid Canvas Therapy
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 10 on 12/15/2010 9:58 PM >
| | | | Posted by Rjkd12
Well, I'll give my two cents.
First, part of the reason why I like the look of abandoned buildings are the broken windows and the graffiti. It definitely adds to the image of a place. That doesn't mean I want to be the guy who writes on stuff or breaks stuff or I think its OK to do.
Just like I appreciate whoever cuts the hole in the fence to give access or who breaks the window/pries the board away so I can get inside, I (sometimes) appreciate the person who does really attractive graffiti or who breaks out enough windows to improve the look of the building in photos. Again though, I personally prefer not to permanently alter the place I'm visiting at all.
For every piece of nice graffiti though, there are probably hundreds of crappy name scribbling and boob cartoons and those are just a waste. So while graffiti can be attractive, most of the time its scribbles and just ruins stuff.
So UE without graffiti is like going to a comedy club that doesn't serve alcohol. It may be a semi-integral part that some appreciate, but lets all be responsible and not ruin it for everyone else with careless over-indulgence. Nobody cares if you really did "have sex with a girl in that chair -->"
Lastly, equating trespassing and tagging is ridiculous. Just because two things are illegal doesn't mean they are the same or have the same consequences. As someone else said, I can take a million pictures, good or bad, and the place is well preserved for the next person who wants to "appreciate" the building. Tagging a wall and breaking a window are both permanent and will alter the place not only for me, but for everyone else who visits it.
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What he said! ^^^
nosus decipio |
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paulpa
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: Canuckistan
Gender: Male
Part-time troll
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 11 on 12/15/2010 10:14 PM >
| | | | Posted by Intrinsic
Detroit is a visual city. From the streamlined aesthetic of Wayne State to the glimmering downtown view of Windsor and the casinos, the city has a distinct look. The architecture is renaissance, the design is modern and the graffiti is rampant.
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**GAGS**
All my friends from Windsor HATE Windsor. It is like the worst city in Canada.
Well besides, Oshawa, Vancouver (Hastings E), Toronto (Jane/Finch). But Windsor is right up there. And you need to look at lifestyles, someone who is documenting the building and creating high art vs. some bored druggie teens (and now tweens).
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deisalj
Location: Memphis, TN
Gender: Male
Ididn'tdoit, nobodysawmedoit, youcantproveanyt hing!
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 12 on 12/22/2010 9:26 PM >
| | | | I was out in LA a few years ago and they had razor wire around the base of highway signs because the graffiti is so rampant there. They closed the Hollywood sign and made it to where you can only drive up to a viewing point for it, again because the graffiti was so rampant there too. Bottom line if your looking to paint something up you are ruining it in more ways than one!
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Tupsumato
Location: Finland
Gender: Male
How close can you go?
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 13 on 12/22/2010 9:49 PM >
|  | | | I do not agree with the mindset that if you are doing something illegal, you can not criticize anyone for doing something else that also happens to be illegal. It is not a matter of legality since laws vary, but a matter of something being right or wrong to do. My opinion is that breaking and defacing stuff is definitely wrong while just being somewhere without causing any damage necessarily is not.
All information and details given in good faith but not guaranteed! |
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LiveStrong2009
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Gender: Male
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 14 on 12/23/2010 4:49 AM >
| | | | I like your viewpoint Intrinsic! He hit the nail on the head as far as I am concerned. However, RJKD12 did have some good points as well.
Backtrail Photography
http://facebook.com/BacktrailPhotography |
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Steed
Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor
| | | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 15 on 12/23/2010 5:51 AM >
| | | | Real street art is different from shitty graffiti and tags...EXCEPT:
a) one nice mural attracts the shittier stuff
b) the people who do the nicer pieces also are responsible for a lot of the shit.
Not too while ago, I found out a guy over here put a big picture of some dude up on the front of an abandoned church at the top of a hill in Incheon. My stance was: "I would've loved to see the building before he drew that on it." Others argued it had artistic merit.
http://www.uer.ca/...l.asp?picid=328254
I went there and saw it in person. The same guy, who I know by name, had also filled the interior and exterior of the building with his shitty tag, obviously like practicing his signature.
On other walls was really amateur tagging shit.
http://www.uer.ca/...l.asp?picid=328253
Pure crap.
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MonkeyPunchBaby
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 16 on 12/23/2010 6:10 AM >
| | | | I have a tagger to thank for several locations. If I see his name on the side of a building I know there's a very good chance it's been abandoned. Plus it's like running into an old friend when I find his work inside the places. It's like, "oh hey! I was expecting to run into you here. I could've sworn I found out about this place before you did. Good day."
[last edit 12/23/2010 6:12 AM by MonkeyPunchBaby - edited 2 times]
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charopos
| | Re: Don't confuse vandalism with art of graffiti
<Reply # 17 on 12/23/2010 10:08 PM >
| | | | The only time graffiti is not vandalism is when the artist has permission to do it.
To the graffiti artists, they're helping improve the look of the area/location. To others, they're making it look worse. Most people belong in the latter group.
Most explorer's go out of their way to not break or change anything, whereas graffiti is inherently vandalism, when applied in it's most common form.
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