Just wanted to see what the resident scholars and moral authorities here thought of graffiti. I have some opinions on the subject but I am interested in those of others, not my own. Is it art, or vandalism, or neither, or both? What should our response be to graffiti as Christians, and does the quality or content of it play a role in this decision?
Graffiti
- Thread starter kraniac
- Start date
blackgravity
New Member
I think if there are sanctioned areas for artists to use, it's just fine. If you're doing anything to anyone else's property without their permission, it's not right now matter how you cut it. There are lots of talented artists around here that actually get commissioned to do art on some building around here. There's an car repair place downtown that has a huge graffiti style mural of Darth Vader and Yoda duking it out facing the highway, makes it a little more enjoyable to drive through that part of town for me.
Also, where I used to live in SC had a spot behind a Hardees where a lot of people did their thing. Not sure if it was allowed or not, but I don't see how it could go uninterrupted for years and years if it wasn't.
Personally I think that if people stop associating graffiti with vandals, and look at it as the art form that it is, and realize that there are people that are PROFESSIONALS at this specific style, it would be a lot more OUT THERE in terms of what is socially acceptable.
Also, where I used to live in SC had a spot behind a Hardees where a lot of people did their thing. Not sure if it was allowed or not, but I don't see how it could go uninterrupted for years and years if it wasn't.
Personally I think that if people stop associating graffiti with vandals, and look at it as the art form that it is, and realize that there are people that are PROFESSIONALS at this specific style, it would be a lot more OUT THERE in terms of what is socially acceptable.
Durruck
Pirate!
I agree with blackgravity's opening statements - if it's not yours, and you don't have permission, it's not right. In fact, it's a criminal act. Maybe I'm okay with having someone spray paint the side of my house or business, but don't assume it's okay.
With that being said, I've seen some fantastic graffiti as well. In fact, one of them ("Just A Couple of Days", outside Athens, Ohio) actually made the regional papers, then later a book was written about it (link). It sparked long discussions, several editorials, and even a small batch of websites devoted to figuring out who did it. None were ever successful, and more than 10 years later, I still wonder, "Just A Couple of Days...until what?"
Sometimes, stuff like that can be beautiful - there's a building on 5th Av in Columbus that someone graffiti'd over someone else's work - painting a wonderful picture depicting a nameless family from the neighborhood... nobody has messed with that in at least the 8 years that I've known about it.
But it still doesn't make it right.
blackgravity is also right about there being professional graffiti artists. A while back, Extreme Home Makeover came to town and was doing a house. They actually went out into the neighborhoods to find out who had done some of the local graffiti, then hired them to paint inside the new home.
With that being said, I've seen some fantastic graffiti as well. In fact, one of them ("Just A Couple of Days", outside Athens, Ohio) actually made the regional papers, then later a book was written about it (link). It sparked long discussions, several editorials, and even a small batch of websites devoted to figuring out who did it. None were ever successful, and more than 10 years later, I still wonder, "Just A Couple of Days...until what?"
Sometimes, stuff like that can be beautiful - there's a building on 5th Av in Columbus that someone graffiti'd over someone else's work - painting a wonderful picture depicting a nameless family from the neighborhood... nobody has messed with that in at least the 8 years that I've known about it.
But it still doesn't make it right.
blackgravity is also right about there being professional graffiti artists. A while back, Extreme Home Makeover came to town and was doing a house. They actually went out into the neighborhoods to find out who had done some of the local graffiti, then hired them to paint inside the new home.
I don't think that spray painting buildings, bricks fences, dumpsters, etc., is necessarily right, because the people who built the things didn't intend for it to be covered in "Art".
However...
There are some cases when they're HIRED to graffiti something. For example, on the Food Network series "Ace of Cakes", someone was hired to make a cake of a subway train and then graffiti it was frosting, etc., in which case I think it'd be fine.
I wish I had Biblical backing to all of this, but I'm not too informed in this department, I'm afraid.
However...
There are some cases when they're HIRED to graffiti something. For example, on the Food Network series "Ace of Cakes", someone was hired to make a cake of a subway train and then graffiti it was frosting, etc., in which case I think it'd be fine.
I wish I had Biblical backing to all of this, but I'm not too informed in this department, I'm afraid.
Odale
Active Member
I think, by skimming the previous responses, that I agree with them.
Designated area = ok. Non-designated area = vandalism.
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Designated area = ok. Non-designated area = vandalism.
Is classical Greco-Roman sculpture considered pornography or considered works of art from a genius?
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
the_great_eskimo_pie
Former Official Thread Killer
Yep. However, when it is something that is allowed, is it really graffiti? I would then say it is art.
I would have to disagree there. Of course my response as to why would take a bit of explaining. Needless to say when you raise the human body to the level of wanting to see it naked at all times, simply to enjoy looking at it, It is not art. The Greco-Roman culture started its downhill spiral when it started putting its very selfish needs in front of the needs of others. So art in the eye of the beholder? No, that I would not agree with. At least most of the time.
