Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

Most people can distinguish between art and vandalism. However, graffiti takes special section of art. Graffiti has been has been around since the days of ancient Rome and Greece. People have been “tagging” for hundreds of years. However it was in the 1970’s and 80’s that the form of art was created. With the creation of hip hop, graffiti started becoming very popular, especially in African American communities such as the South Bronx. Graffiti is considered a visual form of hip hop, but perhaps it is not considered art because of its canvas. People “tag” on public buildings and subway cars. This is where the line between vandalism and art is drawn. The artist must decide on where to put their art and whether it is safe or not it its location.

Graffiti has evolved so much over the years. It went from gangs marking their territory to an expressive from of art. In the begging people where using markers and just singing their names on walls. Since then it has turned into forming full murals that tell stories using aerosol cans. Graffiti is also used as memorials for deceased hip hop and graffiti artist. Today graffiti is now a way to get a message out to the public.

When taggers of New York started their art it was for local fame. These artist tried tagging as many places as they can to gain recognition. Darryl McCray or “Cornbread” is claimed to be the first tagger. When he was in juvenile prison he would write his tag sign “Cornbread” all over the prison. He continued to tag outside of prison and it spread to New York City. It was until Taki 183 that this art form was brought to national recognition. On July 21, 1971, The New York Times, published an article on the front page of the paper titled “Taki 183...

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... sparked interest in graffiti once again. This film follows a French immigrant in Los Angeles and his obsession with street art. It shows the struggles of what a modern day graffiti artist has to go through to gain recognition. The film is debated whether or not it should be taken seriously but still has a serious impact on the art community.

The first amendment sates that people have freedom of speech. Does graffiti have that freedom? People see graffiti in one of two ways it is either art or a crime. People put time and effort into their work but have taken down because of where it is. Buildings like 5 Pointz allowed people to express their art legally, but then their work gets taken away overnight. Artist such as Lee Quinones, Fab 5 Freddy, and Bansky have proven themselves in the art world but they are stilled not as respected as they should be.