What are your thoughts on graffiti? (Chicago: condo, house, neighborhood)

[A2DAC1985]

Like life, I think this is a complicated issue.

It can be boiled down to black and white, but that, to me at least, takes an overly simplistic and easy approach to it. I think there is tons of gray left in the reduction.

On the whole, I don't think it is something that should be outright condoned. It is still illegal. But then graffiti can also be a medium for a message that wouldn't, or couldn't, be brought through the "proper" legal channels.

I don't think that "tagging" (initials or a name) just for the sake of tagging should be acceptable anywhere. It is the equivalent of pulling out your D------- and P--------- your name in the snow. It may be "cool" or build "cred" to do so, but it is still just a matter of, "I want to, therefore, I do". And just doing something because a person wants to, disregarding other people's "I want to..." promise of life in America, is reprehensible.

But then again, some of the graffiti has real skill and talent behind it. Artists with an idea, thought, or message that can't or won't be displayed to an audience that it is intended for. Spray pairing a mural or design on a Dan Ryan overpass may be the only way a person(s) can reach the intended audience without all the (unnecessary) bureaucracy that comes with the "legal" channels of expression.

What are your thoughts?

I would like to see areas set up throughout the city that are designated "graffiti" areas. Get students or aspiring artists to draw up ideas for graffiti ready structures and statues that are solely intended to be spray painted. Amorphous concrete statues/structures come to mind. They would be works of art in themselves, but would allow people to spray paint what they wanted on these plain gray structures.

Put video monitoring equipment around these parks and keep track of who is showing up, and who is taking part. Think the "free zone" from "The Wire", but graffiti instead of heroin. Get a bead on gangs. Funnel the "turf wars" into one area, and have police on standby to arrest malcontents.

I don't want to see graffiti completely gone from the city, but I do want the needless "P---------- in the snow" to stop.

[rparz]

I can see a time and place for things like this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8o0K6rar8h...OBS-Crew_2.jpg


I can do without this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xAIPlt0aZQ...ti.preview.jpg

[A2DAC1985]

Originally Posted by rparz

I can see a time and place for things like this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8o0K6rar8h...OBS-Crew_2.jpg


I can do without this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xAIPlt0aZQ...ti.preview.jpg

That's what I'm saying. The second is nothing but a, "I was here!" legal infraction. It serves no legitimate purpose.

At least give those type of people the option to do that S----------- in a designated area that police watch and can catch any other illegal activities happening there.

[nikitakolata]

I don't care for graffiti and if it was all or none, I would definitely choose none.

I personally don't care if someone has "a message" and can't figure out any other way to share it with others; that does not give them any right to deface property that isn't theirs. I don't understand why someone can't paint their art on a board or on their own property. That said, I think that when graffiti is done artfully it's alright to look at. I'm still not a huge fan but I can deal with it.

I think if someone has a compelling message that they just desperately need to get out they should find a way to do it that doesn't deface the property of others. Why not think outside of the box and get permission first?

[jwaiter]

I don't have any thoughts on graffiti.

[Irishtom29]

Well said Niki.

[A2DAC1985]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

I don't care for graffiti and if it was all or none, I would definitely choose none.

(1)I personally don't care if someone has "a message" and can't figure out any other way to share it with others; that does not give them any right to deface property that isn't theirs. (2) I don't understand why someone can't paint their art on a board or on their own property. That said, I think that when graffiti is done artfully it's alright to look at. I'm still not a huge fan but I can deal with it.

I think if someone has a compelling message that they just desperately need to get out they should find a way to do it that doesn't deface the property of others. (3) Why not think outside of the box and get permission first?

1. Like I said, defacing property is still a crime, and something I don't think is right in itself.

2. Because people might not look at "their property". A Dan Ryan overpass gets more viewers than a house on a secluded block in the middle of a neighborhood off a one-way street. And I'm not sure about Illinois or Chicago law, but there could very well be something that prevents someone from turning their own property into a giant canvas.

3. That statement makes no sense, to me at least. Getting permission to do something is "outside the box"? So the person that has a negative message they want to convey about the mayor needs to ask the mayor for his permission to express it? Outside the box? I think not.

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by A2DAC1985

3. That statement makes no sense, to me at least. Getting permission to do something is "outside the box"? So the person that has a negative message they want to convey about the mayor needs to ask the mayor for his permission to express it? Outside the box? I think not.

Well, it isn't as though graffiti is the only way someone can express their thoughts. If a person hates the mayor they can protest, start a petition, start a website, etc. There are plenty of legal ways to express yourself. I just don't see the need for graffiti, regardless of a person's message.

[xavier xerxes]

I agree that Graffiti does play a role in the city and will always be around,
but it shouldnt completely saturate an area. And I like nicer pieces, freehand or stenciled stuff. Gang Graffiti is something I ALWAYS cover up. It ugly and creates an unsafe environment. If Graffiti looks okay I leave it alone.

[ToriaT]

Tagging or graffiti is defacing private or public property and should be a crime. I do believe there are street artists who should have their work shown and I would support a program where they could showcase their works somewhere legally. This is different than somebody coming and putting gang signs on my house.