How do you feel about graffiti?

best thing ever. it costs about 1p for each taxpayer to remove. if you like plain walls you should be killed for been boring without tags you wouldn't know which writers are still about and it livens it up a little legal graffiti art = pathetic fame seeking mongs that aren't normally that good

I'm obsessed with graffiti, its a wonderful art-form. I love every branch of graffiti, the stencil pieces, the words, all forms of street art. My favorite graffiti artist is Banksy. I have many books on graffiti from around the world and they are wonderful. I love watching the trains go by with graffiti covering the compartments. Some people have their opinions on if graffiti is a real art form and it being illegal. I think graffiti has just as much a right as any art form. I think it really embraces the culture of a building to have a tag on it. I know why a building would want to remove a beautiful tag. Besides reknowned buildings graffiti artist should put their art anywhere.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/14/tribute-to-graffiti-50-beautiful-graffiti-artworks/ You may want to play with making your own: http://www.graffiticreator.net/ Some of these are so clever and well done... It depends on where it is and if permission was given to mark up someone's property. A lot of graffiti is just plain fabulous and adds to the environment it is placed on. "Taggin" on th e other hand is not acceptable...it's mostly poorly done and just touting some gang garbage. The biggest insult is when taggers tag on top of artsy graffiti. You may find this article relevant: http://www.graffiti.org/faq/stowers.html

like the good stuff (rare). think the bad stuff (most tags, incompetent doodles) makes a neighborhood look like nobody cares - because it does make it ugly. I don't see any reasons why graffiti can't be judged whether it is creative (something different than all other graffiti writers), whether it communicates an idea and has a concept (besides "that is my territory" or "I am bored"), whether it has craftsmanship (most fail here, but not all), I think that a graffiti artist like banksy got popular because he does score on all those points. It also shows that there is a space for well done graffiti, which people can enjoy even if it's done illegally (don't think he asks for permission). There are also a few cases where good graffiti artists got "punished" for illegal graffiti by having to do a free mural for the city - even the judge recognized they were good. But be honest, would you put the majority of tag writers even remotely into the same league? It also shows that most graffiti writers are not remotely capable and therefore don't get any public recognition. If they just wanted to express themselves, why don't they use chalk? Why don't they spraypaint their jackets (I do happen to know people who do their graffiti on their own clothes, but not on other's people property). What would they say if somebody redecorates their living space to their taste? Would they think it's cool? I've never ever felt the need to go out and redecorate somebody else's space. I also don't have the urge to tell other people what to do, as long as they harm nobody. I do spend some time and energy to decorate my living space. If I feel the urge for self expression there are many other media. If I ever get my own place I might put a mural on it. But one question back: would you agree to a stranger picking a random graffiti person and letting them into only one room in your place and letting them go without restrictions? Would that be an interesting experiment or not? Would get you free graffiti without the filter of a photograph. Sorry, overlong answer, but you asked for one, and I don't even feel that strongly on the subject.