Graffiti: Art or Vandalism

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

                Graffiti is an extremely polemic theme. Opinions are divided, and there are some important questions to board. Is very common nowadays to walk, normally in the streets of big cities, and see a lot of different kinds of paintings in walls, monuments and other public places. But, in the end, these paintings are considered art? Or only vandalism?

                To answer this question another doubt comes up: What is art? Most of the people say that graffiti is art when is beautiful, colorful, and make the city prettier, and it is not when is ‘visual pollution’. But, who can consider something art? Art is, by definition, when an artist expresses his feelings. So, following this logic, graffiti as ‘visual pollution’ is also art, because their artists are expressing themselves. Graffiti is a form of protest, a form of discussion OR a form of express beauty.

                Another common argument is ‘graffiti is a form of vandalism when it is not allowed by the owner of the space’. So when a painting is beautiful and colorful and not permitted, it is vandalism? This contradicts the other argument. Okay, so graffiti is considered art when it is beautiful and permitted?

                I think that graffiti doesn’t have to be art or vandalism. It can be both of them. Can be art if his owner wanted to express a feeling, an idea, but can also be vandalism if is not following the law. In conclusion, graffiti is not something good or bad, it depends to the person’s view of good and bad. It is important to have a way to express nowadays, but trying to respect the society.  

~Cih

                                         Art X Vandalism

             In this month, the painting of drawings made by people at the walls of “Minhocão” has divided opinions. Some people think it was a beautiful art and of expression from the black community. Others believe this type of art is against the law and must be prohibited. But what is art and vandalism, and is there a difference between them?

             Most of the time we consider art something colorful ,with perfect lines and forms and vandalism letters made quickly by graffiti artists .In the formal interpretation, vandalism is considered any type of graffiti made without permition in a property, but in daily life interpretation, each person has a different opinion. When decide what is art and what isn´t, we need to know that, for another person, what I believe is ugly may be pretty for her. Because of these diverse opinions, governments end up covering all type of art, since they can´t choose what is it or not.

             On the other hand, the expression of arts on the streets is seen as a way to color the city, made of cement and concrete. One example of these are the colorful walls at “Vila Madalena”, where everyday artists go and create. In a city, most of the population appreciates graffitis made with colors and images, what has been allowing the growth of this type of art. However, letters considered “ugly” are painted by the owners of the property or even by the government, creating a disagreement on what should be covered or not.

             In conclusion, art is a way of people expressing their visions, feelings and thoughts. When we interprete art, we must respect others visions and learn know no one is more intelligent or better them someone by its tastes. Looking at something and saying it is good or not doesn´t make us art experts, but simple watchers appreciating the world we leave in.


By Anna