Graffiti: Is Aerosol an Art Form?

As a youth I risked life and limb to pain the words "finger f**k" on a bridge where unwary train commuters could easily spot it. The offending graffitti was there for over 10 years before the government got the bright idea to remove it. I will be the first to admit, I ain't no artist.

I think it can be. Some graffitti is absolutly beautiful, while some is, well, like NickFuns.

It can be.

Sure. I'm sure you'll recall boomer's story about having a graffiti artist decorate her studio. (I miss boomer! Wahhh!)

dont worry.. boomer will be home soon.

she is just wonderful!

Here in austin, there are tons of ' graffitti ' artists.
Some .. well.. only create eye sores, but for all its worth, with what is on the walls of buildings, sidewalks and signs here in austin I believe it is an art form.
But that is a fine line as well..
does the occasional gang name done in fancy colors and mishapen letters constitute art?
I dont think so.

Wall murals? Pictures, advertisements.. all done in spray paint..do those constitute art? yes

Being able to wield something as awkward as a can of paint as if it were a a pencil, requires as much practice , finesse and talent as does the smallest paint brush.
I think it is what the person does with that talent that can make it art.

round here they got so despairing of graphiti vandals that they positively encouraged kids to write on a particular subway.

Result.....they wrecked it. In so far as it is possible to wreck re inforced concrete.

So they cleaned it all up and put tasteful murals and stuck other bits of wall art up. That got smashed.

Meanwhile the new virgin white wall of a supermarket....

I like a well created Mural by a skilled artist. Some are very good, and some are not. It also depends on the message if any. Each person interprets Graffiti differently.

Here is a little history

http://www.daveyd.com/historyofgraf.html


Here is a well done Mural. This is located on 104 st. and Lexington. I don't know the artist.

In the link here you will find more up close work of the unknown artist above. You will also see of of De La Vega's work too. De La Vega is not one of my favorite artist.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel/40193065/

Here is a De La Vega

And another one of De La Vega


There is only one De La Vega Mural I like, and I could not find the picture. It's an imitation of a Picasso.

A lot of scribbling like this which to me is real Graffiti, I don't like.


I guess it's up to each one of us to make up our own mind about it.

UK graffiti artist Banksy

I like what Banksy did here. He took a blank wall and made an interesting image.

And

And



Sorry to say, but, I could not find pictures of the real master works of art in our city. You really have to see them up close to appreciate the color, and the skill of the artist.

To me Some of it is Art, some of it is Garbage, and I would like to paint over it. The same thing with old masters, and modern artist; some I like and some I don't at all. It's up to individual taste, and what you think art is or is not.

This is in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.


I don't like this. I like my images clear, and without scribbles.




Lamp-post, Ludlow St
Most of the lamp-posts in the area are covered in stickers, flyers and graffiti, promoting local gigs and businesses along with the occasional poster seeking a lost pet.

The Bronx

Memorial Walls






The Bronx has several incredible Murals in tall buildings, real master pieces, but, I could not find the pictures.

http://www.bronxview.com/graffiti/

I sure would like to see pictures of boomer's graffiti art in her studio. I know of people who hire graffiti artist to make designs for them in their homes too. Where I live we have bodega owners who have murals painted by graffiti artist at their store fronts . I know of a Restaurant, a super market, and a Botanica (where they sell herbs, saints, and stuff).

Alas, Noddy, most of the graffiti markings around my part of the world could not be categorized as "art". The motive appears to be much the same as a dog needing to leave evidence of passing by that spot to all & sundry by peeing on every available surface.

BTW, I don't consider "sanctioned" wall art or murals as genuine graffiti art. There's a big difference.

I agree msolga. I consider graffiti scribbles that make no sense, like the ones on some trains. Today I don't hardly see any graffiti scribbling on trains.

Angelique...

...how come you have not joined us at some of our regular New York meets?

Some of us are gonna be at the Frying Pan tonight. If you wanna meet up...lemme know.

f.


Noddy...I happen to be one of those people who love graffiti art. Like many have mentioned...some is better than others...and some is dirt...but the good stuff is as good as anything in a museum.


(Tell Angelique how much fun it is to hang around with us.)

De La Vega got arrested several times, and ended up in jail. He made a big deal about it (news, and tv), I guess he wanted to be another Robert Lederman, but, it did not happen that way. People did not make a big deal about it, and forgot about it.

Well graffiti "art" by nature is temporary & the artist would be anonymous, yes? Ya can't be an outlaw artist & famous at the same time. :wink:

I often wondered at Keith Haring's grafitti artist status. Fame & status in the artworld as a result of NYC subway paintings. BTW, I interviewed him when he was in Melbourne, as a guest of the National Gallery of Victoria ... & actually got to watch (with students) as he produced one of his (now) few remaining murals.

There are some famous graffiti artist who have become famous, and then moved unto other things. Then we have those who are anonymous. I guess it varies from country to country, and person to person.