Graffiti Is Vandalism and Not an Art
Graffiti Is Vandalism and not an Art
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Graffiti is Vandalism and Not an Art Graffiti is a quite new and growing form of expression that brings various controversies due to its connection of illegality. The question therefore is what comes into your mind when you first see graffiti? I must first bring your attention to what exactly graffiti, art and vandalism are before taking sides. Oxford dictionary defines graffiti as ' 'markings, slogans, written, drawings, spray-painted on a sidewalk, wall of a public restroom or a building” (Catherine & Angus, 2008). The same dictionary defines vandalism as “action relating deliberate damage or destruction of property (Catherine & Angus, 2008). ' Oxford dictionary goes ahead to describe Art as “the expression or use of creative skill and thoughts, usually in a visual form such as sculpture, creating works to be treasured mainly for their emotional power” (Catherine & Angus, 2008). Based on these definitions it is now clear that Graffiti is vandalism and not art as people want to believe. People may ask if the description of these words alone can be use to determine the debate; this question can depends on the intention s of the “writer” of the graffiti. Vandalism becomes vandalism when its intention is mischievous and carried towards destruction of property without the permission of the property owner, designates and authorized agents. First, in Town like Toronto graffiti is illegal but at the same time it is open to interpretation because the city administrators may deem it as mural. Graffiti can be regarded as an act of writing and drawing of the building surfaces without owners’ consent in order to extort money from them. The act as changed its artistic intention to an act of solicit money from building owners during removal of the so called graffiti. They do this because they believe they
Name
Professor
Institution
Course
Date
Graffiti is Vandalism and Not an Art Graffiti is a quite new and growing form of expression that brings various controversies due to its connection of illegality. The question therefore is what comes into your mind when you first see graffiti? I must first bring your attention to what exactly graffiti, art and vandalism are before taking sides. Oxford dictionary defines graffiti as ' 'markings, slogans, written, drawings, spray-painted on a sidewalk, wall of a public restroom or a building” (Catherine & Angus, 2008). The same dictionary defines vandalism as “action relating deliberate damage or destruction of property (Catherine & Angus, 2008). ' Oxford dictionary goes ahead to describe Art as “the expression or use of creative skill and thoughts, usually in a visual form such as sculpture, creating works to be treasured mainly for their emotional power” (Catherine & Angus, 2008). Based on these definitions it is now clear that Graffiti is vandalism and not art as people want to believe. People may ask if the description of these words alone can be use to determine the debate; this question can depends on the intention s of the “writer” of the graffiti. Vandalism becomes vandalism when its intention is mischievous and carried towards destruction of property without the permission of the property owner, designates and authorized agents. First, in Town like Toronto graffiti is illegal but at the same time it is open to interpretation because the city administrators may deem it as mural. Graffiti can be regarded as an act of writing and drawing of the building surfaces without owners’ consent in order to extort money from them. The act as changed its artistic intention to an act of solicit money from building owners during removal of the so called graffiti. They do this because they believe they
References: Catherine S. & Angus S. (2008), “Concise Oxford English Dictionary: 11th Edition Revised”, Oxford University Press, USA