the writing graffiti is art opens up with a line that i think is very powerful and important when we look at art and it is " by creating you are also expressing your vision of the world." graffiti I think takes this idea to the next step by genuinely altering the world so that it continues to fit into the artist's vision. the author continues to describe it as a manifestation of self estimate. i think this is also relevant when considering that often the places that do have heavy graffiti are ones that are overlooked or looked down upon by the white middle-class suburbs. so then too graffiti becomes in many was a bold act of reclamation and vision. for me the reason graffiti feels like an important inclusion in the art world is simply that it is less exclusive then other forms of art. and i think because of that too it is easily and more often villainized as vandalism. that is not to say that vandalism doesn't exist but i think in the case of graffiti knowing that it is generally works which comes from community members to become their neighborhoods, decor, or writing, or defining signage is important. later in the article the author also brings up a concern about what happens when graffiti goes into a gallery space does it become a less genuine expression of graffiti? and to that i think it doesn't matter, i think that the problem lies when we divide up graffiti vs vandalism by who the artist is not the quality and intention of the work. and for me while i personally think that graffiti is at its best when it lives in the streets as public art and neighborhood decor and celebration i also know that it is not my place to define what is genuine art and what isnt. but graffiti is really important to me, it becomes a dialogue with the artist who created it, its location and its viewer. and as far as art goes public art to me will always seem most important because it creates a moment where people can create mirrors in the art world for those who have only seen art which has been a window into another life. graffiti is art, and an art form that has the potential to change and represent community.
Hi Nieves,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting that you brought up how graffiti is villainized and considered vandalism especially by those who are white and upper class. The perceptions of graffiti within society are extremely tied to racism and classism. This is why I appreciated when Bojorquez compared graffiti to advertisements because all of the complaints that people tend to have of graffiti, such as it being disruptive and something that people did not consent to, are issues that can be seen with advertisements. In this way, I think that given the capitalistic and racist norms upheld within society which makes advertisements acceptable but not graffiti, it is important to support graffiti artists as they are disruptive in an oppositional way.