On graffiti

This is brilliant and beautiful (via Boing Boing):
Reverse graffiti by Paul Curtis, aka Moose
(hint: it’s graffiti in the reverse—and something I’d so much rather see than the spraypaint shit everywhere)

I also love these Graffiti Watch posters I’ve seen in bus shelters around the city:
San Francisco Graffiti Watch posters
The graffiti is so realistic (and the posters are backlit), I did a doubletake thinking it was actually on top of the poster.

Some part of me wonders if there’s any correlation between the incidence of graffiti and funding for arts in public schools. Another part of me wonders whether cave paintings were the work of premodern delinquents.

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9 comments

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There is vandalism, and then there is urban art, my friend Robert does some too…

The graffiti on those flyers really sux ass, deliquants for sure!! Some graffiti artists are legends! also check out http://www.nodcraft.com,
Hope all is well,
P i Ea c E

i think that your public art statement in correlation with graffiti is completely wrong and totally unjustified.. If there was more arts in public schools there wouldn’t be so much graffiti.. Come on man, get it together.

Too bad “A Real San Franciscan” does not have the self-confidence to live his/her real name, let alone read through my short post where I specifically wrote:

Some part of me wonders if there’s any correlation between the incidence of graffiti and funding for arts in public schools.

In other words, maybe there’d be less egregious tagging and defacement of private property if arts programs in public school were stronger.

ther is definately a differance between tagging, and a piece of art. some writers do the most beautiful pieces i have ever seen. i love going to the train yard once in a while to write some, or to just look.

Justin,
I think you maybe wrong about your statement. I disagree with it because of the fact that most people do not think of art the way others do. Just take a look at you. You have your opinions and “A Real San Franciscan” had theirs. I, for one, think that graffiti sends out a strong message, if you would take the time to consider it, instead of not opening your mind.
The next time you see some, you should consider what the person meant by it. Then maybe you will see what it is really about!

Bethany, in the future please reread the comments you leave. Yours makes very little sense to me, which is a shame because I’d like to understand what you are saying in order to properly respond. Let me try to explain what I found confusing in your writing.

I think you maybe wrong about your statement.

You start by saying I am wrong about something I wrote. This is not how someone constructively disagrees with another person. This is how someone picks a fight. It immediately puts me on the defensive even if I might agree with some part of your message.

I disagree with it because of the fact that most people do not think of art the way others do.

This is a little better, less combative, though I’m still not sure what exactly you disagree with. Note however your sentence is redundant to the point of not making sense. It’s like saying “I disagree with you because people have different opinions.” It’s enough to just say “I disagree with you.” What I’m interested in though is what and why?

Just take a look at you.

Third sentence is combative again. Sounds like you’re sizing me up. Stereotyping me because of a post you perceive to be anti-graffiti. Guess what? You don’t know the first thing about me.

You have your opinions and “A Real San Franciscan” had theirs.

At this point you’ve already established that different people have different opinions.

I, for one, think that graffiti sends out a strong message,

Ah finally you’re telling me how you really feel. A question for you: how does that bathtub ad make you feel? What strong message does it send you?

if you would take the time to consider it

I don’t know why you would expect anything less. I’ve posted to my blog about it. I’ve responded to comments 7 months after posting this. Clearly I am taking my time to consider it.

instead of not opening your mind.

And this is where I lose pretty much all respect for you. You started your comment by picking a fight and now you’re ending it by insulting me. Not very persuasive.

The next time you see some, you should consider what the person meant by it. Then maybe you will see what it is really about!

This I must admit has given me an idea. When I have a chance, I’ll scour some part of where I live (lets say one SF block, both sides of the street) and I’ll photograph every incident of intentional markings on any surface. I will literally try to photograph everything I see. Tagging, graffiti, stencil art, murals, everything. Then I will blog about everything I find here, and if you care to check back in, please feel free to leave comments on what you feel graffiti is all about.

being a graffiti writer is about fame(having your name all over the place where ever you go)tagging,pieces, throwups,blockbusters and whole cars
having a couple nice pieces does not make you a graffiti legend I guy with throwups or tags all over will get more respect take from me I did it all wholecars,tags inside,blockbusters
thats graffiti check out paid3.com