graffiti: Art or crime?

Desire Ramos


Many feel that graffiti is a form of decay on public property,
But if they took the time that they use to criticize it and evaluated it instead im sure many would see the real effort put into these street murals, and the self expression and art behind it.
Over the years graffiti has not only flooded the streets of New York City, (which is its origins) but has flooded streets of international areas as well.
And as the graffiti increases, the punishments for part-taking In the crime has increased significantly as well, no longer just sentencing community service upon the artist but now sentencing them for up to two years in jail with an additional 26,000 fine varying on the size of the “damaged” area.
It is a common misconception that the general classification of graffitist are teenage boys from the slums that just seek attention and fame. WRONG. Graffitist age’s can range from 12-30 years old, and come from all types of backgrounds and financial situations-
Although its up rise was from the south side Bronx which can be misconstrued as the slums, as its widespread fame grew it flooded the streets of lower Manhattan and prominent area’s such as SOHO.
While many argue that graffiti still vandalizes private and public property- it is used a lot of times to revamp an area that would normally be an eyesore for many to walk pass.
Such as an abandoned building, or a discolored wall.
Majority of the time graffiti is disregarded and looked down upon because its not presented in a conventional location such as an art museum or exhibit.
But what makes graffiti so inhumane that you put a person behind bars for up to 24 months, when there are sex offenders and various other malicious people who get sentenced for less amount of time with more of a crime.
On the other hand again there are those who feel the need to write useless things or draw inappropriate pictures on places such as a classroom desk or in building staircase.
-which is confusing vandalism for graffiti
20% of vandalism is gang related,
gangs vandalize for various reasons, none of which are the same reasons a graffitist decides to pick up a spray can. Gangs graffiti to feel inferior to those who do not wish to be apart of gangs, or just for that recognition whether its negative or not, they love the attention regardless.
Gangs and others who just tag around, take the word graffiti and degrade its value and meaning, giving society their main theory and idea on street art.
But that’s when the fine line between Graffiti and vandalism comes into play-
What exactly is the fine line that justifies graffiti as art, and vandalism as public humiliation?
In graffiti there are multiple messages,
Whether it be motivational, inspiring, comic relief, or just something to get you through the day
It all has a meaning behind it, and a very powerful one.
Not many can understand graffiti because of its abstract font and style, yet nobody criticizes Picasso or Van Gogh for their abstract view on the world, granted not many can understand graffiti with one glimpse but the idea that there is a message behind every code of paint constitutes it as art rather then just another piece of degrading vandalism, it is a form of self expression leaving those who actually take the time to not just criticize it but understand it as well with a better view on what that one artist may feel through blotches of color, pictures, and texts.
Vandalism on the other hand is just juvenile, with no true meaning behind it.
Vandalism is generated with no effort, and is just failing attempt at modifying graffiti with pointless ideals like writing “Desire was here”
Or “the girl who sits next to me in art is a hoe”, and further things to that extent.
-Still cant tell the difference?

Graffitist much like artist have a canvas, but unlike painters or photographers Graffitist see the damaged wall, the cracked up pavement, and though rarely used anymore the fast pace train lines as their canvas, and the spray can being their brush.
And just like artist found in a museum graffitist have their own frame for their artwork- The neighborhoods that surround them.
-As the baby sister to a graffiti artist, I have grown up around the high strung smell of spray paint in the morning, and have watched my brother and his friends create multiple masterpieces that is just as good if not better then anything found in an art exhibit.
It hurts me to see society so closed minded about what they cannot understand with one glimpse.
My brother was arrested in 2006 for what authorities felt was “vandalism”
(I happened to think it was one of his best pieces)
He was sentenced to 5 months in jail and probation fallowing his release.
What I cant understand is why go to such drastic measures when the artist probably has such passion for what he does, he is going to get right back on the street, and pick up where he left off just like my brother ended up doing.
Those who take the time to create the street master pieces have such a fire inside them when they talk about their work, why is society so set on destroying the one thing that is so significant to many people? Who is it hurting? What is the real reason they find it completely offensive?
Why do we flinch at the artist but walk past the drug dealer, why do we scold the artist but not the next door neighbor who beats his wife? Why is it society can take an artist off the street but not a sex offender?
Questions left without answers,
Leaves an artist without his canvas.