2.4.1 Why is graffiti considered art?

In order to explain or debate graffiti as art, it’s almost necessary to debate the definition of art itself, since in order to talk about how something like graffiti fits inside that definition, you have to know what that definition is. First, then, let’s consider the definition of art as it applies to aesthetics.

Art does not have to be beautiful, but it does have to have a certain appearance that causes the viewer to think. A visual appeal is found in most art, even if it’s the appeal of revulsion; whether or not art is beautiful, it shows a skill of expression that makes the viewer want to look, listen, or read. Graffiti, then, constitutes art in the sense that it creates a visual aesthetic that tends to draw people in.

Graffiti artists often use symbols known only amongst them to label and tag their work, and these symbols are both intriguing and mysterious to the general public.

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Many graffiti artists are just plain visually gifted – the artistic talent expressed in some graffiti pieces is absolutely astounding, and is made all the more impressive done illegally, and thus “on the fly,” with the artists having to work quickly under precarious conditions.

2.4.2 The graffiti art culture

Both art forms, street art and graffiti, are a part of the outsider art movement – that being artists with no academic or formal training in the visual arts. Art history has shown us for centuries the progression of the visual arts is moving further away from this elitist viewpoint.

In the past art was seen as a technical skill that only a few talented chosen artists mastered. The wealthy commissioned, bought and determined what, was “good art”.

Gradually as time has moved on, we have gravitated towards more of a freedom of expression and the brave have taken huge risks towards revealing the question of what makes art, “art”.

A combination of Art History and Art Therapy training has made me questioned this often. I have realized that, art is a visual form of expression, inherit in all of us.

Although some art connoisseurs still to this day hold on to their traditional views and disagree. Whoever takes the opportunity to expresses themselves visually may be considered an artist. It’s a form of communication that we all interpret differently. During our modern world we see more innovative artists exploring new territories and crossing the boundaries of traditional art.

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The Art world has veered into the commercial environment as well, used to attract and sell items. Nowadays many professional artists find themselves in the position that they must learn to market their creative work in order to survive financially. These marketing techniques get extravagant and give more rises to the question, “what is art”?

There’s something impressive about making a visual impact with all of these factors working against you, and the fact that graffiti artists manage to do it speaks to their skill on an artistic level.

2.5 Is graffiti vandalism?

Today, graffiti is a sign of urban decay. It has become everyone’s eyesore. Graffiti generates fear of neighborhood crime and instability. It is costly, destructive, lowers property values and sends a message that people of the community are not concerned about the appearance of their neighborhoods. It is also against the law!

Graffiti vandalism is a form of vandalism in which individuals use paint, often spray paint, to create words or images on public and private walls and property. This is done without the permission of the owner of such property, and is often seen as a form of illegal vandalism.

These images and words can be created in a number of different ways, and for many different reasons, from indicating the location of gang territory to making political or social statements about government or artistic expression.

Graffiti vandalism can cost business owners and governments a great deal of money to remove, though it is often not inherently as destructive as vandalism that causes property loss or damage.

Often simply called graffiti, graffiti vandalism typically uses paint and a number of different methods to create a wide array of images on walls and buildings. These images can consist of anything from one or two words, usually intended to identify a particular graffiti artist or group, to murals and recognizable images.

Since this is done without the permission of the owner, regardless of the merit of the creation, it is often unwanted.

This makes graffiti vandalism illegal in most areas, and the way in which such vandalism is treated depends on the work and opinions of local legislators.

Most graffiti vandalism is fervently combated by governments and owners of buildings targeted for such vandalism.

Law enforcement efforts are often undertaken to catch such vandals, and owners of property will usually paint over the graffiti on a building or wall. In some locations, hidden cameras are even installed to capture graffiti artists in the act, helping law enforcement to catch such individuals.

Famous graffiti artists, such as Banksey, have become celebrated not only in underground cultural movements, but in mainstream culture as well. Graffiti vandalism that surpasses simple text or images, and instead pushes to create social or political commentary, can cross over from vandalism into art. While the work will often still remain controversial, the nature of such work can cause a public outcry of support to leave the graffiti and to acknowledge the work as legitimate art. The argument that is often made in favor of such graffiti vandalism is that it can create unique and interesting images for viewers, and does not cause the damage that fires or destructive vandalism often cause.

Graffiti Art or Vandalism is the question in question here on one side many people feel graffiti is art and also a form of self expression and on another side some feel it is nothing but glorified vandalism. Both sides have a very good argument but before we are able to take any side .We must first know what exactly are graffiti, art and vandalism? According to Webster’s dictionary graffiti is defined as slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom. Now vandalism defined by Webster’s dictionary is deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.

Art also defined by Webster’s dictionary is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. Now we ask this question again is graffiti art or vandalism?

Well based on the definition of these words I say Graffiti is in fact Art. Now some may ask if the definition of the words alone tell you it is art why is it such a debate? Well that question can simply be answer with it just depends on were the graffiti is placed.

Vandalism is only vandalism when it is mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.

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If for example someone was to spray paint there bedroom for decortications proposes that is graffiti as art not vandalism because they did not do it for a mischievous or malicious destruction reason or to damage the room. They did it as self expression to make the room beautiful in there own way which is exactly Art.

I feel the reason people say graffiti is vandalism is because they just simply don’t know what the words mean. Yes graffiti is vandalism if done on public property out of a mischievous act but if graffiti is out of this context it is not vandalism. Also in both cases graffiti is still art weather it’s done as a vandal or positive act because art is perceived differently by everyone.

For example if someone draw a extremely violent picture this may be just a violent, and wrong act to some but to others and the person that drew it they may see it as art.

Everyone has there different views of what they think art is just like everyone has different tastes.