Graffiti: Art or vandalism?

When people hear the word graffiti, many no doubt think of vandalism, but these days a growing number of enthusiasts are calling it art. Rita Braver tours a N.Y. museum exhibit of graffiti, some of which is worth upwards of $100,000.

[contrabassoon]

It's an unspoken rule for graffiti artists to never tag people's homes or private property. It's art for public spaces, that's up for grabs.

[RubbelisPro]

It's only vandalism if it's bad work..

[SaraSong-mwzm]

I think a solution to the whole Graffiti Vandalism thing is just have big random walls or walls that are marked where they has been permission for the public to do art right there. I think that would help.

[PineApPleJewCeGames]

"Its not art or vandalism; its art because it's vandalism"
-GATS

[nebian]

1:27 who is tagging gay? (Bottom left)

[Swoash]

"Anybody that could avoid the subways in the 1970's and 1980's... that that could did."

[CambodiaChinita]

I love graffiti. What I consider vandalism is those billboards (fast food, alcohol, etc.) that come into my community; I didn't ask for those.

[bakermakingbread]

It’s amazing! This shouldn’t be overlooked it’s a form of expression, I don’t think it’s bad at all! It expresses urban ideas that I don’t think are just “vandalism.” It looks better than just a blank train, or a blank building! It looks very good!

[matthewdunivan]

I just finished reading The Mole People by Jennifer Toth. She dedicates a chapter about the underground graffiti scene... This is really beautiful.

[hfkasdjhfkasdfsdjfhkajsd]

Do you think any of them see that the painting in the beginning actually says "lee"?

[DuwangKaizer]

From Sega's Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio (2000)
Graffiti is art. However, graffiti as an act of vandalism is a crime. Every state/province has vandalism laws that apply to graffiti, and local entities such as cities and counties have anti-graffiti ordinances. Violation of these laws can result in a fine, probation, or a jail sentence.

[danh]

Art and vandalism are not mutually exclusive.

If it is done well, it is both. If it is done poorly (i.e.- simple 'tagging'), than it is pure vandalism.

[PRUNV]

Who cares what that lady feels about graffiti.. Take away our Boys Clubs, YMCA's, Parks, and we as kids had nowhere else to go, so we expressed ourselves with graffiti. Worth the risks it took to become that Banksy In life.

[alfredocervantes]

there is art in a tag... the letters you see on the wall with no style is vandalism

[wickedgf]

👀 Nice to see my tag collection (1:24) in this piece since it’s the “Holy Grail” of the NYC Graf scene❗️This predates black books and represents the city before the real explosion to the next level took places and everything got bigger and more colorful ‼️ WG - Wicked Gary - EX VANDALS (WBYA / WNO) From The Evolution To The Revolution ❣️😉👍🏽🎨🌈✨🌞🙂💛😎

[alexanderbrndstbye]

it is rules graffiti artists follow, unless the last vandelisers. never private property, churches or schools. and other rules that i am not gonna get in to. I think it is art, even taggs. it gives the streets some colors. for the writers out there, dont get caught and have fun! I live in norway and here it was a war with graffiti and the government, eventually they did put up legall walls that helped younger people to get started with this amazing art and community. last time i was at the wall a freaking 6 - 8 year old was with his dad painting. it was the best site ever to see a so young child doing something that is fun and creativ! so art yes, vandalism yes. No graffiti = no hip-hop that many people in the world love today.

[Marieis]

5:35 well Genz definitely heard you 😂😂

[christinepreedy]

Tagging is not art images and painting a social commentary are art. Tagging is just putting your name on something just like little kiddies need doing to their clothing when going to school

[lixokxy]

I love seeing graffiti, they flavour the bland cities if its actual art.

[hlord]

Vandalism implies your destroying public property
That’s simply wrong your clearly creating art your not destroying anything your expressing yourself