Graffiti is graffiti when it appears in situ, so to speak–defacing a public space.
When surrounded by a frame and hung in a wall it’s graffiti art–and has a certain appeal, to me, at least.
I wonder what one would call it if graffiti art were defaced by graffiti. Perhaps we can have GUDER (and Rex!) proffer an opinion….
nabeguy
In this case, the defacing of public spaces is being carried out by city agencies who are presumably doing it for the public benefit. Yet, there are statutes in place that fine landlords for failing to remove graffiti in a timely fashion. Where is the balance in that? And why should we expect the likes of Guder to check their activities when they see the very same thing being done with impunity all around them? The conventional wisdom dictates that graffiti is the first sign of a deteriorating neighborhood. Apparently, that wisdom has not filtered down to the myriad utility company’s that are digging up our sidewalks and streets.
WillowtownCop
A weed is a plant growing where it isn’t supposed to, no matter what kind of plant it is. Graffiti is just a painting where it doesn’t belong.
nabeguy
Willowtown, I love it when your poetic side comes out. Graffiti is indeed a weed…it’s up to us to be the Roundup that destroys it.
