[RP TownTalk] Graffiti

[bruce.wernek at mindspring.com]

I don't agree with Gerald.  Graffiti is art in it's finest form because the artists get the kind of "reviews" below.  There is no expectation of reward or recognition.  There are no preconceived notions based on mainstream concepts.  The artists just imagine and paint.  It's art simply for the sake of art, pure expression.  

Graffiti should not be debased simply because the "canvas" is the side of a railroad car, building, or bridge abutement.  There's going to be vulgarity, but this is more the exception rather than the rule.  The best artists don't need to use vulgarity to get your attention.  After all, that's what graffiti is all about.  Check out this link, reflect, and decide for yourself.  In many ways, these works are a window into who we are because they are painted by people just like us.  From where I stand, if this isn't art, I don't know what is.  

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=graffiti+pictures&cp=11&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&wrapid=tljp1300878955041020&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=cdaJTe2OCYLJgQfy0t26DQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1110&bih=634

P.S. If somebody painted the side of my commerical building with art like this, I'd be gratefull.  It beats the hell out of white cinder block.

Bruce 


-----Original Message-----
>From: Sue Collins <wheadle at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Mar 23, 2011 6:46 AM
>To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>Subject: [RP TownTalk] Graffiti
>
>Gerald King, I agree with you, graffiti is NOT art, it's vandalism, pure and 
>simple.  We're each entitled to our own opinion but I wonder if those people who 
>consider it art would like it if they woke up one morning and found their house 
>and car spray-painted, esp. with vulgar words and pictures?  Most of the 
>"children" who do this stuff are more than old enough to know right from wrong 
>and I think one of the best punishments if they're caught would be to make them 
>clean up the painted areas and do maintenance in the parks, etc.  Maybe if they 
>were responsible for keeping an area nice, they'd see what it means when someone 
>else vandalizes that property?  And yes, graffiti has been around 'forever,' but 
>so have murder and a lot of other ugly things.  All that means is that there's 
>been idiots and vandals throughout recorded history, not just in our day.  
>
>
>
>      
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