Grappling with graffiti

Chris

- August 3, 2010 at 14:19:17

ever think about the sociological or anthropological importance of this as a youth culture? probably not because many people in this world can only see one side of the argument. i agree that hitting personal private property and small community business's is wrong. but who honestly cares about the grubby back ally's most of these kids are painting, or the derelict building that the owner's clearly don't even care about? in one breath we brag and boast about having the most artists per postal code in canada, and in the other we condemn the action's of the next generation of great artists this city has too offer. anyone also ever try and understand the compulsion these people have too create? that willingness too want too not only live in, but be a part of the city, too make drab walls feel organic and alive? it won't ever stop, its too long of a human tradition too want too leave your mark. respect and tolerance needs too come from both sides!!

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Mr. Skeptic

- August 2, 2010 at 15:33:37

Smyth echoed Bush. “Could a graffiti artist do mural work? Sure. But they would have to be contracted by somebody to do that,” he said. So it's not art unless someone pays for it?

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  Will Burton

  - August 2, 2010 at 16:25:23

  Upon my arrival last year for a summer visit of St. John's and being a trained graffiti removal technician out of Toronto, ON, I can honestly say that with my return this year I have seen with my own eyes the progression of graffiti growing. Having removed thousands of tags, throw ups, pieces and even murals and glass restoration during my three year tenure with a company that specialized in ONLY graffiti removal it kills me to see it has reached the far east of beautiful St. John's, Newfoundland. The difference between a tag and a mural? A tag is merely a quick unrecognizable scribble by a person who is simply vandalizing property. Whereas a mural is an artistic piece put up by a graffiti artist. In the graffiti world, an unwritten rule amongst taggers is no tagger shall hit (spray paint) on a mural. A lot of the times murals are done in reference to someone who has passed away. The Toronto By-Law Enforcement Officers will ticket store owners if they do not respond in a timely manner, I believe they have 72hrs upon receiving a warning, to remove the graffiti either themselves or by a company. The By-Law will hire someone to do it for them, the store owner then must foot the bill for the graffiti removal as well as pay the ticket. Easier for a store owner to pay to have a mural put up. But then the question becomes who decides what is art and what is not? The By-Law Officers? The store owners? Graffiti is a constant ongoing issue across the globe. Montreal, CA is the hardest hit city throughout North America. Graffiti will never be beaten, it can only be maintained. Thank you.

Bea Real

- August 2, 2010 at 00:26:53

picasso painted the mona lisa? give me a break. does the rnc intentionally try to sound dumb or is does it come naturally?

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Mindy

- August 1, 2010 at 10:48:59

I do not agree with tagging ... by far not art work. If these people are so eager to paint put their talents to good use. On a lighter note...Mr. O'Keefe should find out what type of paint these people are using and put the lines on the city streets ... the tagging seems to last thru all types of weather and condtions as to the street paint used by the city.

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