Is graffiti an art form?

Question

After having heard the title of the documentary "The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal" somebody I know said "Nothing that destroys art can be considered art". Now, isn't urban scape also a form of art that is being destroyed by graffiti? I believe there are a lot of architects, designers and engineers working on creating things that look good. Then why is graffiti considered a form of art if it destroys what is already art?

Answer 1

graffitti is an art .. it is just done in the wrong places

Answer 2

Wow what a question, of course it is an Art form! Anything creative that conveys a message or evokes emotion/debate is Art. Graffiti lives up to all those points. As for is it ugly (because art is not necessarily pretty - that's not what it's always about.) that is personal taste. That being said a lot of people see it only as vandalism and see little artistic value in it. But then most people only appreciate a few art forms that does not invalidate the others. Good Luck :o)

Answer 3

Graffiti is a form of expression. Urban art when performed to the purest extent can only be called masterpieces. It is a rare art form that allows you to leap out of the modern norm and express the beyond. It is a chaotic perfection. When graffiti is done right it can exhilarate normal walls. It can create a story where there is none. Is can create joy from a wall. Some art can be used negatively. Portraits of tyrants have been painted as gods. Does this make the art less poetic and masterful? I am not condoning vandalism but, keep in mind this art was born from the streets. The walls are pallets for expression, territory, life and death. Some times when no ones being listened to they lash out. They force their art upon the world. They risk getting caught, they risk getting in trouble. If art is passion then graffiti fits the description.

Answer 4

Graffiti is an art, some of it is very beautiful. if the Mona Lisa had been painted on a wall instead of a canvas it would still have been art right?

The Graffiti artists that do vandalize private property should definatly be discouraged, but just because they put it in the wrong place it doesn't discount it's artistic nature.

Answer 5

Yes. Graffiti is an art form. Or at least in my opinion.



People are paid to do graffiti in some places. So therefor they are considered an artist, which means the graffiti is their art.



Therefore, graffiti CAN be considered an art form, depending on where it is. If it is done on private property without an owners consent it is not, but if they are asked or paid to do it, then yes it can be considered an art form.

Answer 6

Some graffiti is art (and by some, I'm talking about the better stuff, not the "Call John for a good time" crap.) It falls into the category of guerrilla art which is a strange a peculiar creature dealing with the idea of unauthorized art in public spaces. It's actually quite the controversial subject and has garnered some attention in your more philosophical art circles.

Answer 7

That is a brilliant thought. I think the person you know cannot use that as a quote because art is subjective, life is art, art is in the eye of the beholder, anything could be considered art by who created it, or who admires it. I think graffiti is a form of art, and I also agree that it destroys the art of whatever the building is in some cases, in other cases it beautifies it. Its all subjective. It reminds me of a quote " Its not what you look at, it's what you see "

Answer 8

I believe graffiti is a form of art. Some people do it to destroy things. But if you got to Atlanta, GA you will see walls that are professionally down. It is so beautiful. Look up graffiti on th eweb and u will find murals of it. It's not always done to destroy other things.

Answer 9

Graffiti is a form of art as far as I'm concerned. And when you think about it it's really just temporarily covering something that usually isn't very artistic in the first place. What is so artistic about a plain brick wall or the side of a rail car?

Answer 10

graffiti is done by people that don't care about others property, more than likely someone that should be smacked...lol..but it can be art if it's on their property, it does take some talent for the good graffiti, some of them are really neat. However most of the time it's vandalism and a sign of a gangs territory.

Answer 11

Graffiti on canvass is an art form. On a concrete overpass it is vandalism.



If someone were to splash green paint on the Mona Lisa painting and he called it art, would it BE art? And if so, would REMOVING that green paint be "destroying art?".



"Art" as a concept is NOT art when it seeks to diminish other expressions of of art.



Weeds are indeed flowers, but when not wanted, they are just WEEDS.

Answer 12

It can be considered an art form and I have seen some interesting graffiti, but if it's not sanctioned, then its just vandalism. How would you feel if you've worked all your life to afford a place to live and somebody with a spray can paints X-KILLER on your garage door?

Answer 13

then is other art destroying canvas? if one if molding iron to create something, then isn't one destroying the initial piece of iron, which might have been art?



it's all very cyclical when you get philosophical, and especially in an area like art where EVERYTHING is subjective.



personally, i find graffiti to be one of the most raw and honest forms of art in existence.

Answer 14

I have seen some graffiti that is truly art work, but I agree with you too, art should not destroy the canvas it is placed on.

Answer 15

it makes a difference if someone takes some sprays and leave some signs behind, or somesome makes really art on walls. graffiti is a kind of revolt again the established art scene - it is anarchy with paints made by people who don´t have a voice in our narcissistic society.

Answer 16

Look at it this way... it's art on top of art!



No artist wants another artist come and create over their art

but unfortunately that's what graffiti art is.

Answer 17

Graffiti is a type of art. It does not always destroy other pieces of art, and many stores will hire graffiti artists to decorate a wall.

Answer 18

graffiti IS an art form

Answer 19

Graffiti is art

Answer 20

art is a way of expressing one's feelings. Graffiti can be a way to express the way how one feels.

Answer 21

I beleive it is all in where it is and who did the graffiti! Some peps can't even hold their can right and do it only to vandalize,other use their talents and use it for self-expression.Either way it adds color to life!

Answer 22

it doesn't destroy what is already art it makes it better. two arts formed together to make one ultimate art. only in some cases though!

Answer 23

art is in the eye of the beholder, and the artist.



i don't think you can get a logical answer to your question that applies in all circumstances.



for example, there is a ton of dispute about whether this is a sculpture honoring Quetzalcoatl or is it something else entirely?



http://www.kreysler.com/projects/serpent/serpent.htm

Answer 24

Most graffiti is vandalism, because that is it's intent.



There are very few 'taggers' who really believe what they do is art. It is just an excuse.

Answer 25

depends who u ask, but to me it is an art because it takes skill to actually do some nice tagging. and you have to be fast and precise. takes practice and not something ur automatically good at

Answer 26

I think it's art if who ever is painting has talent. Otherwise it's just defacing property.

Answer 27

first someone needs to clarify



what is art?

Answer 28

of course it's art.

Answer 29

i agree with the first girl. i hate "tags" but a sick piece is ok to brighten things up!!

Answer 30

complicated

Answer 31

No. It is illegal as well.