Graffiti
Graffitiby Jana
I see graffiti often as I drive. Many times I see it on run-down buildings, fences, or on trains as they pass by. Each time I’m amazed at the talent that graffiti requires, and at the amazing things it portrays.
They always inspire me, these artists. No degrees on their walls “prove” that they are qualified. They may be teenagers just trying to find their place in the world, or adults who have been forced to drop their art to pursue “real jobs.” But still, they can never let their art die. A train stopped on the tracks, or a dark abandoned alley, prove to be too much temptation.
So they grab their paint, and within just a few minutes they change the entire landscape around them. Broken down houses and fences become their canvases. Black freight cars are transformed by silver and white lettering. Pale concrete walls come to life as pink and blue designs fill their spaces. And their art proves once again, that in even the darkest of situations, one determined life can dramatically change the world around it.
posted by g at 9:10 PM
17 Comments:
I just wrote about graffiti! (though I haven't published it yet.... ) and it wasn't so lovely on our camper. nope. not nice at all.
i think it aweful when people do this
its not their property
but they dont care
and then
people whom own the fence ir whatever have to get it cleaned off and hope that it doesnt happen again
but
often it does
Graffiti can be an art form ... I guess. It's an art form that uses other peoples' property as its canvas. And hence, it's tough for me to appreciate it.
Perhaps it's best viewed in a photograph, detachedly, rather than on the familiar wall of our neighborhood BP station.
wow, that's something. i'm not sure i'd call that inspiring but, one man's chaos is another man's art...
I agree with Chrysalis' first paragraph, and Jen and family completely.
I really think of graffiti as a form of vandalism.
I mean, they use other people's property in order to make the graffiti, and the person who's property it is, might not like the graffiti. I also think it's awful that they don't care whose property they use.
I'm torn on this one .... I can see both sides. I think perhaps if it is on derelict land/walls, that's OK and can be an improvement and a creative outlet. If it isn't, then no.
If there was a good way of channelling the talent, that would be wonderful, because some of the work is very good.
I like the photo.
Interesting responses! The ones I always like are the ones on the sides of railroad cars. It almost seems like there is just one prolific artist doing this as the style is nearly always the same, like something out of the sixties with one too many sugar cubes. By the way, I like Monday mornings these days because of the expectation of a new photo from you G. Thanks for posting.
Interesting responses! The ones I always like are the ones on the sides of railroad cars. It almost seems like there is just one prolific artist doing this as the style is nearly always the same, like something out of the sixties with one too many sugar cubes. By the way, I like Monday mornings these days because of the expectation of a new photo from you G. Thanks for posting.
i guess i liked it so much i looked twice! sorry
I admit to liking graffiti too, but realize that, in most cases, it's actually "vandalism".
I wish these artists could express their talent without disrespecting personal property. Then, we can call it "murals".
Kent, I love the railroad cars too. I work near two railroads, so we see trains ALL the time. Once in a while we'll all just gather around the windows at work and look out at the graffiti on the train cars. :)
from the hourses mouth. you gatta be more than some mere artist to do this thing called graff. at its peak it is art and vandalism. graff is all action and reaction. thaT SIMPLE. if you can't understand that then you never will. graff is primal. click my name and see my work
Wow, what a range of reactions. Thanks Jana for getting it all started with your words.
In taking the picture, I saw only the beautiful range of colors and shapes, splashed on a huge concrete pillar below the highway, and like Jana, I was inspired.
I can see, anonymous and abby, how all graffiti is just a form of vandalism.
And I am so sorry, Mrs D. that your camper was defaced.
Like Mary, I seem to straddle both sides of the fence.
If I were a small business owner, or a homeowner, and the paint were splashed on my fence jen, I think I would be irate,
Chrysalis, the idea that someone else is using my property as a canvas, would trouble me. They should ask, of course, but that doesn't seem to be the way with these artists. Half the thrill seems to be in stealing (or borrowing) the canvas.
Joelle, the larger question of what is art has always been with me. How do you tell if something is Art?
When the public artist is taking something that is basically a plain or ugly surface, like a stretch of concrete under the highway, or a rusted railway car, as Kent and Jana have said, and turning it into a bright and lively fountain of color, I am thankful and pleased.
But I suppose the owner of the railroad cars might have another opinion.
bodidarma, thank you so much for stopping by. I visited your page and appreciated seeing how you built up the work in stages. There is so much more to the accomplishment of graffiti than meets the eye. And I think your "logo" or whatever you call it, is refined, sophisticated and eye-popping.
But I am intrigued by the attitude. You say "graff" is primal. And seem to take pride in the vandalism part. You also cover over other work. Is this like marking your territory with a scent?
Kent, thanks for the kinds words. I am personally always glad for anything that brightens a Monday.
Graffiti is about self expression. A masterpiece is determined by the viewer. It has it's place, it shouldn't ruin another's property or public property.
There is an old brick building that is half destroyed by time about 30 minutes north of where I live that is full of graffiti and it has been there for as long as I can remember - I look forward to seeing it when I drive by. It's forever changing.
I can understand that it is vandalism. But there are some absolutely amazing artists out there and some of the grafitti is a privelege to experience. Not sure what sort of grafitti I'd want on my camper, home or other property, however.
The picture was very colorful. As always, thank you!
Great post g,
I love graffiti and was lucky enough to live for a few years in Banksy's main patch, which was like living in the middle of a constantly updated political art exhibition.
You might enjoy this site, though it's not for the faint hearted or those offended by very strong language.
http://www.picturesofwalls.com/
It isn't always pretty, but I found the thought behind the work filled me with hope. The creativity of people who have not defined themselves as such can stop me in my tracks.
Yeah, when it appears on the side of your camper it probably doesn't look or feel so good, but several folks have mentioned public examples that are truly stunning.
Stray, I love the work that Bansky does. Thanks so much for the link. His work is very sly political commentary, and deserves a hearing.
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