What do you think? Is graffiti vandalism or is it art?

I think that stuff like f**k you or b**ch is not art. But I think that acutual graffiti is art

Loaded question. That is actually two separate questions that are unrelated. 1. Graffiti can be vandalism or not. It depends on whether it is done legally or illegally. 2. Is Graffiti considered art is a different question that is subject to debate on the nature of art itself. My opinion is that graffiti is art b/c it is a form of the artist expressing him or herself to incite a reaction (of some sort) in the viewer.

I think it's both. Art is any form of creative expression, whether or not others like or appreciate. I happen to think graffiti can be quite beautiful, but my opinion doesn't really matter, only the artist's opinion counts. That being said, vandalism is any sort of destruction or defacing of someone else's property. The Mona Lisa is considered fine art, but that doesn't mean I want it painted on the side of my building. If graffiti is done on someone else's property, without permission, it is by definition vandalism, as well as art.

I had a conversation with my sister (a studio arts major) once about whether graffiti is vandalism or art, and the answer we came up with together is that graffiti can be art. It is a very expressive, personal, and colorful art form that leans toward abstract most of the time. What can make graffiti vandalism is where it is painted, and on what. If its clear purpose is to put a name, symbol, etc. (tag) the side of a building, a sign, a bench, a train car, etc. then it is vandalism. At my junior high school a few years ago, a friend of mine was asked by the principal to paint some graffiti on one of the walls. What he painted was loved by the entire school, and he was featured on the front page of the newspaper. Because he was asked to do it, that made it art.

Well, I live in Los Angeles, and since there is so much vandalism in this city, we need to know first: ***what*** is your "distinction" between graffiti and tagging? You must tell us that first, in order to help you with your question. In order to be helpful to you, you need to first tell us the difference between graffiti and tagging.

My biggest question would be whether or not you have permission to draw on the surface you are using. If you don't have permission, it's vandalism whether it's pretty or not. (Not that I haven't seen some gorgeous graffiti, but even gorgeous graffiti that is definitely a work of art is vandalism if you didn't have the right to put it there).

I feel like wildstyle, piecing and muralizing are all totally valid forms of art. things are being created. tagging and bombing however, are not valid forms of art: things are being destroyed.

It depends... If it's inappropriate, its vandalism, if its a picture, its art.

i'd say its a form of art