Graffiti Research Paper

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism Expressing myself artistically, I spray painted on a wall when I was little as an art project my class was participating in at school. This was a fun experience and I felt as if I was giving back to the world and creatively showing my talents and passions. This is where my development of graffiti was started and sparked my interest in it. Living a large city now definitely brings back numerous memories of it in my life. My interest was heightened even more due to the new location and increase of graffiti.
In my perspective, graffiti is a form of art and talent in which artists can express to and with the general public. I understand that in some circumstances, some might consider graffiti to be unpleasant to
the eye, illegal, and even vandalism. Although, I assume that the majority of the general public accepts graffiti, even if they feel that certain pieces of graffiti are not beautiful; they might tolerate it being on a wall of some sort.
To my knowledge, I know that there are many disputes in cities around the world debating whether or not to legalize graffiti. Recently, one of my professors informed our class that Los Angeles has passed a law which states that artists are allowed to express their passion of graffiti art in specific places around the city. Later, I would have to research this to gather more information to satisfy my curiosity.
I’d imagine that since so many adolescents have tendencies to rebel and disregard rules that regulate against something they love to do, they would take the opportunity to be “bad” and do what they want regardless if it’s illegal or frowned upon.
Rebellion is in every human being and will be expressed by some whether they want to or not. Why can’t the world recognize this and instead of putting regulations on them, they should guide them, accept them, and help them to freely express themselves safely to benefit not only them, but the entire world? Maybe some people see this as a threat to a society and are bothered intensely over graffiti. My general stand on this topic is being pro-graffiti, but in a scenario like this, I am willing to be persuaded and research as much as I can to further my understanding on both sides to have a more educated position. My overall topic question would be, “is graffiti considered art, or vandalism”? For my research, I used the knowledge I received in the library on how to find articles relating to my topic by going to their databases and utilizing CQ Researcher (a site where you can access articles by entering keywords).
I narrowed down my research an article written by Whitney Pipkin. It expresses the idea that graffiti is not only a form of art, but also a gift. This is a powerful idea because not only does it make you reflect on graffiti in one aspect, but also on a another aspect in a much deeper meaning. Pipkin also depicts a man named “Alec McDowell” who grew up being a graffitist and his role in being a pilot to a program for teens to use graffiti the right way. “It struck him as “a gift for everyone to see.”.(Pipkin 2)” Presently, McDowell is contributing his skills to many communities around the U.S. by teaching teens how to properly and legally use spray cans to create murals in specific places. “…parents have been pleased with the program, which so far has attracted art-minded teens (Pipkin 2).” To me, concrete evidence is and example of a real person embodying helpful and creative traits in which they share to the world is a definite way to have a positive position on this topic. In the first page of Pipkin’s article, it discusses how some graffiti art is considered a menace and categorized as vandalism, but if done correctly, graffiti can be used as a legal and beautiful form of expression. Overall, the overwhelming message was that graffitists need to be
educated in order for graffiti to be taken seriously and to be legalized for its more beautiful message. Although this was one article, I see myself already leaning on one side, but I still have a lot more to research in order to confirm a position on an educated level. After researching the previous article, I utilized the CQ Researcher’s search engine to the best of its abilities by narrowing my topic even more.
I basically search all possible articles that discussed graffiti in an artistic way, rather than vandalistic. I acquired this article, “The Writing on the Walls”, which discusses a new program in a Los Angeles area where they have created a legal way for graffitists to express their art. “However, graffiti — from grand, elaborate murals to smaller, less-planned "tags" — often has been an unwelcome guest in the tourist area, frequently drawing complaints from residents. (Hart 1)” This article states how the new program gives graffitist open space and limited regulations to express their art to reduce the spread of graffiti in residential. Having such a well-developed understanding on the issue of graffiti, the city decided to solve the problem rationally and positively. This definitely is a big “plus” on my postion on the topic. “ICU responded with a new idea to attract artists to paint the pavilion 's walls instead.” Cities and organizations are looking for deterrents to help better the community as whole rather than restricting or ignoring the graffiti. “The city council also has contributed $15,000 to help with the organization 's efforts. (Hart 1)” Not only is the city dealing with the matter of graffiti and graffitist, there are also putting funding into programs and organizations to create the best possible outcome in hopes
that the whole community will be pleased. Since this is also a very positive article, I am wondering if there is even a bad side to this topic. I am not trying to be biased in my research, but all I have read is good outlooks. My goal now is to find a negative/different article than the ones I have found to balance out my research and finalize my stand on graffiti. The difficulty finding an article that dealt with graffiti in a negative review was hard. But, I was able to use CQ Researcher and find articles that argue graffiti is vandalism. I stumbled upon this article, “Vandalism or Art? Documenting or Romanticizing?,” which showcases the response of readers on a debate about the value of graffiti in subway cars as an art. In the article, one states that the filthy defaced subways with graffiti are not an art but depressing and infuriating. This is very interesting because the way they are commenting is like they are just saying what they feel. An emotional appeal/insight, like this, might be “position changer.” It also says, by another reader, interiors of cars, tagged and dirty are looked at as ugly. Also, one reader mentions that children doing graffiti murals on subway cars have no formal art education (Gonzalez 1). Although it had many arguments against graffiti, it had its own fair share of good criticism from other readers as well. “These kids deserve every bit of fame they get/got (Gonzalez 1).” These arguments displayed two sides of the problem which is most appealing to the negatives on graffiti and how it is vandalism. I have to say, this article did very little to help me see the negatives about graffiti. It merely quoted a handful of individuals who were upset about graffiti in their town in an unprofessional way which helped me understand where I stand on this topic. My research was very time-consuming and not at all what I was expecting. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would consider graffiti art or vandalism and whether or not graffitists are doing the wrong thing. After taking into consideration all the information I have discovered, I strongly believe that graffiti is an art form and should be legal and free to express under the right guidance and places. In my perspective, I thought that graffiti was simply drawing your work on a surface. Now I know it takes skill and hard work to actually have your piece to be considered an art form and respected by the community. I also learned that cities are not only dealing with the problem, but are more than willing to help fund programs to guide graffitists to create pieces in a safer and legal way. Their overall goal is to motivate them and benefit the community as a whole. My beliefs somewhat changed, but I respect art in any shape or form so I must say that my research did not surprise me. Graffiti, to me, is a right and is a work of art and expression that should be legal everywhere. In fact, I plan on graphitizing my dorm wall.

Works Cited
Hart D. The writing on the walls. American City & County [serial online]. July 2007;122(7):64. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 27, 2013. http://libproxy.csun.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=25784803&site=ehost-live Vandalism or Art? Documenting or Romanticizing?. New York Times [serial outline] December 23, 2012:6. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 27, 2013. http://libproxy.csun.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=84437425&site=ehost-live Pipkin W. Making Graffiti a ‘Gift’ to the Community. Parks & Recreation [serial outline]. August 2013;48(8):38-39. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed. September 27, 2013.
http://libproxy.csun.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=90131320&site=ehost-live