Graffitti. Discuss

Graffiti is an art form that oulines the angst and tension of a youth culture in crisis. Discuss.

Suppose that Leonardo, Monet, Picasso, or any of the acknowledged artists of Western European culture were living in present day. Subsequently, presume that one of these famous artists decided to paint a masterpiece on the side of your home or on your front entrance or on a wall in your area. Would Picasso or Monet's markings be graffiti or art or vandalism or graffiti art? The answer may vary across people, but I would claim that those markings are art in the form of graffiti. Their markings would meet the criteria as vandalism only if they appeared on confidential or unrestricted property without authorization. The same answer holds for the present day, genre of graffiti known as graffiti art.

Peace, Joe

Ken I am being realilstic....

quoted by me above, "Their markings would meet the criteria as vandalism only if they appeared on confidential or unrestricted property without authorization. The same answer holds for the present day, genre of graffiti known as graffiti art."

I don't know if you can read that, so here it is again, "The same answer holds for the present day"

So, that is my answer to this mess, it is only " vandalism ... if they appeared on confidential or unrestricted property without authorization."

P.S. I do see it as an art form, it is just being abused, like anything else in life.

Peace, Joe

I love graffitti.. I have never been able to draw any or create any myself but when I see it on walls etc I just think that it is an amazing artform.. (when it is tasteful of course) when you have people just swearing or scribbling randomo words and suggestive drawings it loses all the magic and excitment that it once held. But then again thats the freedom of speach for you

Ken agree with you 100%

As I stated above, "I do see it as an art form, it is just being abused, like anything else in life."

And because it is being abused it sets a bad example as you stated.

Peace, Joe

graffitti is being abused just like impresionisim was,
when impressinism first began, it was slow at first as for graffitti was, but then eveyone started doing it, it got out of hand, and eventually impressionism was being abused ... it was being used as an outlet for artists to portray their work faster and easier for money. Well, graffitti is the same way... it is being abused, and it is putting a bad name on that type of art.

Peace, Joe

google Banksy and graffitti in the uk. He just might change your mind/s to whether or not this is art or not.

Some great arguments, folks, keep it going

"Years ago in my lifetime of seeing graffiti, I assure you I saw more hate then art.I don't call defacing property as an art form."

^^^I agree 100%

quoted by me above, "Their markings would meet the criteria as vandalism only if they appeared on confidential or unrestricted property without authorization. The same answer holds for the present day, genre of graffiti known as graffiti art."

As I also stated above, "I do see it as an art form, it is just being abused, like anything else in life."

Peace, Joe

If I merely sign a piece of paper or found object in colours does it make it art? Duchamp signed the piss pot and it's now worth an extaordinary amount of money. Yet he was quite famous to begin with and worked within the modernist genre.

However, I tend to feel that if a piece of work is taking the viewer to a deeper level, (not just a sprayed name), then I would agree that this is art. Banksy's work is definitely art/artistic and social in its comment - regardless where he sprays it.

And the one with the would be petrol bomber throwing a bunch of flowers does it for me. Cheers.

I dopn't like graffiti. All the greffiti around my neoborhood is at the skatpark, and it is all about sex. Seriosuly. Any of the really good stuff on the walls, people have permission to draw. There are alot of those. One outside the grade school, one by the bookstore...but i don't like graffiti.

i dont think graffiti is apporpriet. if you really need that much attention and you feel liek you need to express you self than grab a piece of paper and wright/ draw yoru feelings down. but you dont need to make htem public like that.

It is art if in the right subtext...