Opinion is divided over a huge amount of things and perhaps graffiti is merely another. Lots of individuals – and these are generally older folks with traditional beliefs – consider graffiti as an effort to damage somebody else’s possessions. At the other extreme, you will find those who value the outcome and consider it to be artistic expression. They acknowledge grafitti ‘artists’, not only for their graffiti but maybe also for their defiance against society, for their act of rebellion in a world that requires conformity, for their message – whatever that might be.
So who is right? Are they creative or are they vandals? That must largely depend on whose property is involved. It has been argued that the essential difference between art and grafitti is this: permission. If you have just finished painting your fence and you go back the next morning to find it covered by someone’s expressive masterpiece, you’re likely not to feel best pleased. Government buildings are often targeted and while some may view this as reasonable, the fact is that it does cost everybody as the ongoing clean-up charges come out of our taxes.
But how about ‘famous’ grafitti artists – those that have become well-known and appreciate significant public interest? Would we paint over their work or would we maybe regard ourselves lucky that they had picked OUR wall? Perhaps it would depend very much on whether or not we could appreciate what they had done. It has to become said that grafitti ‘art’ like all art is really a lot a matter of personal taste.
As you would expect, grafitti art is generally modern in model and generally conveys a political or social message. Designs are generally free, largely since grafitti artists generally use spray paints. Most of us are familiar with the ‘bubble’ style of text so beloved of grafitti artists – this style of text presents plenty of scope to add expanses of lively color to the comment.
A ‘good’ grafitti artist can bring something positive to a neighbourhood and their murals are being commissioned mroe often to enliven the otherwise depressing walls of community areas. Also in subways, and underpasses, a dash of color can do a lot to raise the spirits if it’s genuinely creative.
But what about the other kind of grafitti? The filthy language and disgusting comments scrawled across so numerous of our public buildings can’t be considered art of any type. Naturally it has to be cleaned and, given that someone can quickly cover a big area with a single can of spray paint, when it comes to graffiti removal (that’s known as klottersanering in Swedish) it will possibly prove necessary to call in expert help.
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