Vandalism Vs Graffiti Essay

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

Graffiti shows creativity and self expression in one of the best ways. Typically graffiti artists display their artistic talent on train cars, buildings, and public/private properties. The vibrancy of the colors used draws in people nearby to look at the astounding creativity. Although this is true for a shocking amount of people, the same can’t be said for the owners of the properties. This illicit art has a negative effect on the owners. This is also true for some people who just happen to walk by this art, even policemen or businessmen who think this beautiful self expression is an unacceptable eyesore. The artists who have been caught have been penalized and shamed for their creativity. Their mentality has been destroyed and they have been labeled as public nuisances. Meanwhile, the opposing side can sit at home and feel satisfied as ever for catching

these harmless individuals. For several decades, countless arguments have been made in determining whether graffiti is a form of art or vandalism. Although many valid arguments have been made for each side, the most compelling are found to be made in the belief that graffiti is indeed a form of art. The self expression of individuality and abstract drawings are what compels most to believe this.
The actual definition of graffiti, according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, is “writings or drawings on surfaces on public places” (Cambridge University). The definition of art, according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, is “the making or doing of something whose ​purpose is to ​bring​ pleasure to ​people through ​their ​enjoyment of what is ​beautiful and ​interesting, or things, often made for this ​purpose, such as ​paintings, ​drawings, or sculptures” (Cambridge University). Now, the decision on whether graffiti is “beautiful and interesting” is really in the eye of the beholder, but by definition, graffiti has to fit into the categorization as a form of art. “Based on aesthetic criteria, graffiti has to be considered an art form,” (George C. Stowers). The “criteria” George C. Stowers is speaking of is that graffiti is usually made for a purpose. Graffiti artists test the limits and overstep the boundaries for more of a reason than to just annoy officials. The people against the belief that graffiti is a form of art have come up with a definition for it; “by definition, it is an action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property,” (WideWalls). This definition degrades the terminology of graffiti and deprives the audience of understanding it's true and meaningful purpose.The artist wouldn’t risk money, reputation, or jail time for just anything. In art’s definition, it explains that the piece has a purpose and so does graffiti. Graffiti is writing and drawings with expression and vibrancy, this fits well into the definition of art. Most people don’t understand that this “vandalism” has a meaningful purpose to the target audience and the artist. Graffiti being an art form, by definition, is “beautiful and interesting” in more than just the drawing itself. The history and purpose of the graffiti is what makes the piece beautiful and interesting. It appeals to more than just the artist. It appeals to the audience who actually take the time to look and analyze the piece to find a deeper meaning. The analyzation creates a meaningful purpose for the audience to place their perspective into the mix. The audience contributes to the actual definition of the graffiti and art in the way that their analyzation makes the piece beautiful, interesting, and meaningful. The artist does not only give the art a purpose, the audience does as well. The definition of graffiti and art contribute to this analyzation. “Although many consider the spray-painted piece a nuisance, graffiti has been gaining recognition from the art world more and more as a legitimate form of art,” (Noel Sanchez). With this being said, graffiti is starting to be more recognized as an actual form of art. Graffiti:Art Through Vandalism says, “The manner in which graffiti art is executed is the only obstacle it faces in being considered an art form,” (Noel Sanchez) This analyzation gives it’s readers a different perspective on graffiti. The readers understand how opposers of graffiti being an art form can be wrong and that graffiti is defined as art. More people are beginning to realize this actuality, for the definition of art seems to factor into this realization that graffiti is in fact a form of art.
What most people don’t realize is that there is a strong difference between the term graffiti and street art.

Although these two may seem the same, they are in fact different in many ways. One New York blogger describes the two in the best way imaginable. “Graffiti is a medium for borderline criminals and maniacs who insist on testing every limit. Street art is for frustrated graphic designers with too much time on their hands and not enough creative control in their day jobs,” (Indiana University). This basically means that graffiti artists do what they do for the thrill and self expression, while street artists do this because they have nothing better to do. Graffiti: Art Through Vandalism says “While tags are probably the most popular forms, graffiti art is much more than that,” (Noel Sanchez) An inference can be made that the author is most likely referring to street artists when he or she speaks of the taggers. These subtle, but extremely important differences make it so that graffiti artists and street artists have different purposes as to why they are doing what they

are.
The cultural and historical value of graffiti is epic. WideWalls says, “If we take into consideration that graffiti have been around since prehistoric times, it sounds as if this debate is all too hoary…” (Steve Gray). What many people don’t realize is that graffiti has been a carrier means of valuable information for centuries. It was used by cavemen, Romans, and many other cultures and people from different periods of time to inform and carry on the values and importance of religion and culture to future inhabitants. The Antelope Valley Times shares with it’s readers that graffiti has been used by cavemen to the claiming of cities by ancient Romans. Many people don’t consider the tremendous amount of value graffiti serves, because they don’t realize that graffiti’s historical purpose plays a major role. Many treat graffiti as a public disgrace when it’s art form provides a historical value. Graffiti serves more purpose than to be just labelled as vandalism because of it’s purpose centuries ago. Its artistic value should be recognized because of the purpose it serves in restoring past knowledge and amplifying this extraordinary reflection. It brings it’s audience a feel of what the past was. Graffiti artists evoke certain feelings from their audience related to the significance of certain historical movements.
The public's negative view on graffiti is what promotes artists to illegally create art. “Protecting graffiti may incentivize graffiti artists to create more legal works,” Protecting Artistic Vandalism says (Celia Lerman). By protecting the artistic value of graffiti, graffiti artists may be persuaded to create more legal art. In Graffiti: Art Through Vandalism the author says, “[George] Stowers explains that graffiti cannot be disregarded because of its location and illegality,” (Noel Sanchez). With this being said, graffiti isn’t accepted by most community members because of the class it’s derived from. Graffiti is drawn by people of certain ages, genders, and sometimes is gang related. Gang related activity is more than frowned upon by society, therefore, society can assume graffiti is nothing but inappropriate and vulgar to the community.
Most graffiti artists stay anonymous, for their sole purpose isn’t to be recognized. Their artistic purpose is to promote something they feel passionately about, no matter the risk. They want to share their ideas and thoughts with people, discretely, in hopes that it will have the same effect on someone else. This is one of the reasons why graffiti artists take this risk, because their purpose is much deeper than a feeling of recognition. Arguably, the satisfaction of the graffiti artist knowing of how they helped influence at least one person’s life is probably one of their prominent goals.
Many argue whether or not the graffiti art is beautiful or ugly. Their opinion on the subject does not change graffiti’s standing as a form of art. For example, if someone was to believe The Mona Lisa was ugly, it would not make it any less of a painting. The same can be said for graffiti. Graffiti is created by artists who use artistic tools and who come from artistic backgrounds. The perspective people have on the piece doesn’t change the definition, as this can be said for a number of situations. The Antelope Valley Times says, “Calling an illustration ugly is an opinion,” (Youth Speakout). This being said just proves the statement that graffiti is still art, no matter if just one person thinks the piece is ugly or a million.
The fact that graffiti is a form of self expression and individuality, makes it a given that it fits into the definition of art. Art allows people to express moods, emotions, words, and is a form of relief. Graffiti also allows people to do this, the fact that it’s illegal just adds an extra thrill and satisfaction to the artist. WideWalls states, “The excitement of being a renegade and the fear of getting caught is what many artists consider the very core of graffiti culture,” (Steve Gray). The self expression and excitement allow graffiti artists to perform their talents in a beautiful, venturesome, and meaningful way.
The individuality promotes an exquisite sense of satisfaction to the artist. Individuality is the very center of art. What every artist creates gives off a sense of who someone is to their audience. A piece of them and how they view life is usually placed in the art. Graffiti art can give a person knowledge of who the artist is, if the audience digs deep enough.
The style of the graffiti is what makes an individual stand out. Many artists use graffiti to send positive messages to those in who may be in need of a life changing significance in their lives at that very moment. For example, a graffiti artist named Ricky-Lee Gordon (his artist name is Freddy Sam) is a South African artist whose purpose is to change society. CNN says “[he] describes himself as a creative activist who hopes to bring out social change through his projects...he says that business owners are happy for murals to be painted on their buildings because the color is rejuvenating the area,” (CNN). Furthermore, his ulterior motive is to change society’s way of life, for the better, through his artistic style.
One life changing graffiti artist goes by the name Banksy. His evolutionary masterpieces have been recognized as spectacular works of art. But they [fans] do want to follow his upward tra­jectory from the outlaw spraying—or, as the argot has it, “bombing”—walls in Bristol, England, during the 1990s to the artist whose work commands hundreds of thousands of dollars in the auction houses of Britain and America. Today, he has bombed cities from Vienna to San Francisco, Barcelona to Paris and Detroit. And he has moved from graffiti on gritty urban walls to paint on canvas, conceptual sculpture and even film,” (Will Ellsworth-Jones). Banksy's illegal graffiti art had led him on a road to success. His fans praised his amazing artwork and recognized the true value and meaning of it.