ANSWERS: 22
  • It is an art form. Check some of these out: http://www.graffiti.org/
  • It is definitely an illegal nuissance
  • If graffiti so-called artists think it so beautiful, then why don't they put it on their own house? You never see a graffiti vandal putting these paintings on their own house because they are NOT ART.
  • I think some of it is artistic. Unfortunately, it is like anything else lacking discipline, an expensive nuisance.
  • It may be art but it is illegal and cost someone lots of money to paint over. I'd like to kick the people in the backside that graffiti the playground in our neighborhood. They deserve all the penalties possible.
  • It is vandalism.
  • To be honest, I always find it ugly, no matter how colorful or "artistic" it's supposed to be. I think it's because it's done on public facades, like buildings and fences, and those things have a different purpose, a utilitarian purpose, not to be defaced with any kind of "art" or writing. There's a certain lack of respect for public property, as many people who don't appreciate graffiti are "forced" to see it because it's out there in the open.
  • It can be artistic,but to put your art on other people's property isn't good.
  • I have to "mostly" agree with all the answers from one thru eight (I'm number nine), with the exception that I think some of the 'art' is beautiful. I just wish there was a place where they could display their art legally.
  • I think it CAN be quite beautiful and amazing, but to destroy someone else's property is not okay. That being said, some of the most beautiful graffiti I have ever seen was on a passing train. I have also seen graffiti used to express political messages, and I think that is a better use than marking 'gang' signs, etc.
  • I've seen some really gorgeous artwork that is purported to be "graffiti"..I guess what I consider graffiti to be is paint splattered over something in no particular pattern, to cover up something else or to leave a calling card of a gang member so other gang members can see it. :)
  • I think graffiti art can be beautiful, but the rude grafiti is just obsene. :)
  • This article reflects my opinion quite well: "Graffiti (singular: graffito; the plural is used as a mass noun) is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is often regarded as unsightly damage or unwanted vandalism. Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples going back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.[1] Graffiti can be anything from simple scratch marks to elaborate wall paintings. In modern times, spray paint and markers have become the most commonly used materials. In most countries, defacing property with graffiti without the property owner's consent is considered vandalism, which is punishable by law. Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions, to others it is merely vandalism. There are many different types and styles of graffiti and it is a rapidly evolving artform whose value is highly contested, being reviled by many authorities while also subject to protection, sometimes within the same jurisdiction." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti
  • I have seen some amazing graffiti. Some of it is truly a form of art. The problem is, as many have already pointed out in one form or another, it all depends on where this graffiti is "displayed". Personally, I love to see good graffiti on the otherwise dank subway walls or on park fences, but I hate to see it on the ancient buildings and fountains of the city where I live. That is just vandalism, pure and simple. If the kids who did graffiti were just a a little more discerning about "where" they do it, I am generally all for it.
  • It's pretty bad in some neighborhoods around here, but since the neighborhoods look like crap anyways, and theres chicken bones and crack vials on the sidewalks, the graffiti could be seen as an improvement. G and I live in Whitestone(Beechhurst), where there are doormen in every building, and 24 hr security patrols, so theres none here, but ya pay for it, like anything else.
  • Some is quite beautiful but I find that when it's not done with permission or over public property,sides of trains, it's just vandalism, not art.
  • I think the graffiti where the artists take their time to do, it is art and can be beautiful. When they don't take their time and are just trying to slam someone else then it loses its merit and it has no point. I think it can be a nuisance and isn't fair to the people who have to paint over unwanted graffiti so I think the local authorities should fund an area of wall that is for it. They do it in part because they get respect for tagging in places that they aren't sopposed to tag. Make areas they are allowed to tag and a lot will go down. Some will still try to rebel and tag the places outside of that but there isn't much stopping it. We should encourage graffiti artist who actually are going to take the time to tag , to do so where its allowed and it becomes less of a taboo in society. I like looking at it and figuring out what they are trying to say.
  • I've seen some really cool works of art done on buildings, but if someones just writing their name, or tagging up their useless gang symbol, then thats just stupid and pointless.
  • in some blighted areas of our city, graffiti is seen as an urban eyesore..but, in some "neutral" areas , graffiti is seen as a empowering statement of expressionism. infusing both family and pain, love and hate and even loss. i would say it does have artistic merit.
  • No graffiti is artistic...that's why it's called graffiti and not art. We invented a separate word to differentiate it from the rest. Pure nuisance, there should be tougher laws against these graffiti punks...send them all to the slammer
  • Destruction of public or private property is a criminal offense. if its over 5,000 to redo,it should be a felony.
  • I wouldn't mind it nearly as much if it were more Artful. Most of the graffiti around here is just ugliness.

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