Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

[Meduza]

If the graffiti is on the property of the person weho made it, than yes, it's fine.

If it's on someone else's, than no, it's vandalism.

It's like trashing someone's house. It's not yours, and you really don't have the right to do it.

 

[Gun Gear Alpha]

In My days going up and down in the bay area and all of california, Ive seen some really good graffiti. From tagged river sides of LA to the walls of buildings of taipei. I consider it a art, but still vandelisim if approval is not meet. All you know, you could walk into a alley and expect crappy art, or a hidden gem of masterpiceces. It depends How we see it, as its a artform.

 

[Stellar]

A police officer once told me that the difference between art and vandalism is permission. And this came from a former graffiti artist.

Yes, graffiti is a form of art, one that I actually have a ton of respect for. It's a wonderful act of expression if you do it on your own property, but once you violate someone else's property, you're a vandal. It's a pretty clean-cut issue IMO. Stick to your own canvas and you're golden.

The only exception I can think of is if you're trying to make a statement with the placement of your graffiti, kind of like what Banksy does with his work. In that case, I still think it should be illegal... but I won't discourage you from doing it either.

 

[Percy Thrillington]

If it's good, it's art. If it's bad, it's vandalism. Sure, there's probably a technical differentiation for the two but that's how I see it.

 

[Cold Fusion]

As almost everyone has said, it really can be both art and vandalism it just depends on the place it has been done and who owns the property. If the work has had some thought and effort into it, it's art, no matter if it's a stick-man with a stick sword. If that person thinks it's well done and put effort into it, it's art. Graffiti is no exception. If the graffiti drawn on a building "Kerry ♥ George 2k10" for example, and it not owned by the drawer then that is vandalism. If it's not yours, you have no right whatsoever to place your mark on another's property. But if it's on their own property, I don't see why they cannot decorate their building in graffiti, they own it after all.

 

[mondays suck]

It depends. If a graffiti looks like art, I consider it art. But, profanities written on walls (unfortunately the far more common form of graffiti)? Well, yeah. No.