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

Graffiti matters. I you tag stupid stuff and all over peoples cars and stuff it aint cool, like writing your initials on someones window. I you you do actual art, that is worth looking at that some people may actually like, you are sorta adding some colour to a community. I’m not a “Real San Fransisco”-er, but this is my opinion. Whenever I go to San Fran I look forwrd to see ing the amazing art peices. But I do not look forward to stupid black and red scrawls with no imagination. This is the only stuff that is “unjustified” from my point.

I may be wrong, but it seems to me the the intention here is to stop “defacing other people’s property”. As opposed to being against graffiti itself.
I said that because even if it is artful, if it is illegal it’s still wrong. However, if you create art with permission and use graffiti as an art style, you can CREATE something, in stead of defacing it.

I am something of an artist myself and I try to appreciate the art of others. I also try to understand the cultural and social standings of certain actions in the art. I think that people need to express themselves creatively, or they will wither and die in the “concrete jungle” of society. And it is MY opinion that artful graffiti show not be a crime, but appreciated for lending a soul to its surroundings.

Should others disagree, that is their right. Just please don’t try to change my mind about it ;)

Of course your entitled to your own opinion, but graffiti is the most interesting, most original art movement ever, Hands down its just not for middle class chums such as yourself. Id rather see any amount of graffiti on anything than a barbed wire fence or any other disgusting shit erected by capitalist cunts, open your eyes fool people are putting up worse things than graffiti without you questioning them.

Tagging is an essential part of graffiti. if you only do pieces, you are not a graffiti artist, if you do only tagging, you are not a graffiti artist. Let’s say you put up a couple of tags, then a piece with your tag next to it. THAT’S graffiti, people will see the piece, then the tags (or vice versa) and know your style, the area you are in, and that you’re motives. Gangs put up tags to mark “territory”. All fingers then point to us graffiti artists. we don’t deny it, but our tagging has a more useful purpose then other tags. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind here, because it really is up to personal perspective. you either love, live, and do graffiti, or you hate it to no end. reply if you find my point of view interesting, i really like to discuss these sort of things.

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