"Graffiti" An art or an eyesore?

What do you think of it, does it make you cringe or do you stop and admire it?

I've never seen much of it where I live, not proper graffiti anyway just kids writing "i waz ere" which is an eyesore.

I have seen some pretty amazing works of art, so I wouldn't call them eyesores, but I don't think it's right to do it on the sides of buildings that are someone else's property.

I too have seen some amazing, holy **** that's effing beautiful street pieces, but the mindless tagging is indeed an eyesore.

there are some amazing pieces of art in Philly on the walls...but the gang tagging is horrible

Some one here (UK) has just been sent to prison for it, and i have to say they showed it on the news at it was really nice done on the side of a restraining wall, took him 6hrs hard work and besides going to prison the authorities are going to have it removed.

the people local to where he did it said it should be left because it brightened up a dull area.

Original Post by andie-joe:

Some one here (UK) has just been sent to prison for it, and i have to say they showed it on the news at it was really nice done on the side of a restraining wall, took him 6hrs hard work and besides going to prison the authorities are going to have it removed.

the people local to where he did it said it should be left because it brightened up a dull area.

 So, let's just leave the answer to the question as: "Both."

Onto the next topic! :D

I like the art.. just not the gang intitials and signatures and profanity.

It depends on the graffitti. Are we talking about a mural, or just somebody's tag scrawled in marker?

Personally I've always found the sight of (non gang) graffitti comforting. Also some of it can be a pretty entertaining read, when people start politicizing or expounding on whatever conspiracy theory they have in subway graffitti.

just any and all graffiti :)

I think it's really important to acknowledge that there's a difference between grafitti & street art. I hate grafitti & 99% of the time it's just tacky & unneccesary. On the other hand, I wish there was more street art.

I like the weird drawings and sayings on box cars.

When my son was about 5 we were waiting at a RR crossing. My son was trying to count the cars. He got all excited and pointed to the upcoming car and said he loved how they drew Mickey Mouse on it.

My ex and I just looked at each other and burst out laughing. It was a picture of a giant penis and balls.

Tagging sucks.  It's ugly and pointless.  I like the pretty stuff (street art?) though.

I think graffiti is really creative and expressive. I enjoy driving around or waiting at a railroad crossing (like moonikins) and looking at all the graffiti. I always try to figure out what it says, and I never can, so I think that's the best part. Then again, graffiti on the sides of building, definitely gives businesses a bad name. So there are both positives and negatives to it.

i hate rude, pointless or gang graffiti. which is more just tagging and vadalism. i love graffiti art even though it's really hard to come across the good stuff. it's a shame that it's illegal but it would be pretty tricky to legalise and like no one would advocate vandalism haha. there is an allyway in the center of my town called left bank where you're pretty much allowed to do graffiti. every space is filled up and it never gets painted over.

I've only ever seen street art on the TV and I have to say I think it should be allowed it does brighten things up.

You should look up Shepard Fairey. He does some beautiful stuff. His website is obeygiant.com. I think he's the most popular in the US. His art is more political.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/206545468 3_356b832815.jpg?v=0

http://www.artofthestate.co.uk/photos/obey_ne w_world_odor.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/483552099_ 75a49be68b.jpg?v=0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orrin/205793706/

Wow they are good, I could live with them. thank you