Is graffiti art? Or vandalism? - Kelly Wall

Spray-painted subway cars, tagged bridges, mural-covered walls – graffiti pops up boldly throughout our cities. And it turns out: it’s nothing new. Graffiti has been around for thousands of years. And across that span of time, it’s raised the same questions we debate now: Is it art? Is it vandalism? Kelly Wall describes the history of graffiti.

Lesson by Kelly Wall, animation by Tomás Pichardo Espaillat.

[TheKayPitt]

I was reading a masters thesis about graffiti and she had a quote that said, "if you put a pen in any child's hand, naturally, he will go to the wall" I love that because it seems that there is something in human nature that wants a bigger canvas, aka the wall

[pleuriglosse]

I love graffiti- even just quotes and tags. However, I think it is wrong to deface historic buildings and people's homes and businesses. Otherwise, I always think that a graffitied wall will always look better than a blank one. It's like going through an art gallery that is less refined.

[toneriggz]

Feels like this person is more of a fan of street art than graffiti.

[jospheyoung]

I find it ironic that a video about wall art is made by a person with the last name of wall.

[nekonesan]

The narrator has the perfect surname for this.

[RainierKine]

I guess graffiti being art depends on how much thought is put into it and how it makes the viewers feel like there's some meaning to it and not some mindless scribbling.

[UnpredictableSB]

Sometimes when I read youtube comments they feel like it's virtual vandalism. I guess there those who just label walls and there are those who make art.

[panzy]

since when does art have to obey the law? art shapes our culture, and can alter the course of history. art is something greater than law. why would you only recognize art when it's been endorsed by society?

[Mattteus]

I feel that modern graffiti is more an unseen performance art form than a static visual form. It's about the stealth, skill, and speed of the artist's performance than it is about the finished work that the public later sees.

[vondarkmoor]

It's about perspective. Im sure most would feel different if it were their wall. And it was an image or message they didnt agree with.

[shakethatcake]

Watch this video with the sound off. It's a drug trip.

[notanapple]

graffiti as it evolved in new York was never about the art. it was about getting up, being seen, and people knowing your name.

[Theooohh]

I don't get how people can dislike such a great video like this. Nothing offensive, nothing negative, just pure insightful life lessons. Just so long as the well minded outnumber the dislikers to such a degree makes it alright. Opinions?

[Dextension_]

A brief history without mentioning Hiphop ?

[Rielestkid]

Was kind of expecting a more contemporary coverage of the graffiti art explosion of the 70/80's in New York. Still very cool

[lottidiezweite]

It's funny how people are like "Uh, graffiti is not art, they just scribble shit" but pictures that are just plain grey are sold for thousands of dollars to museums. Like, graffiti is art. You don't have to like it for it to be art. I could draw a simple line and declare it art because "art" just means something that is done on purpose but doesn't necessarily serve a purpose. Therefore graffiti is art. It's still vandalism if done on public or not self-owned objects/properties though.

[brendan]

The first form a graffiti was in 27 Ad when I young man named brian who wrote "romanes eunt Sonia" as a form of rebellion against then Roman rule at the time. this original piece graffiti or what it became known as at the time, graffitus, is what created such a huge art form in your modern civilisation. thanks Brian.

[maxgorden]

Oh don't worry, it's cool if you deface my property, it's not like I own it or whatever. Or that I liked the current paint job. They are assholes.

[YoomarTuNoOmar]

if I spend all my money in a new house including the costs of the wall painting and etc, I would hate to have someone drawing his own shit on my wall.

I think it is indeed art, but it doesn't justify damaging someone's property.

[phabiorules]

I think the biggest difference is the purpose for creating the piece. Did you just want to do a quick doodle or name for the rush of getting caught, or did you want to make a statement and ensure it will be seen?