Graffiti Is Not Just Art, But a Way of Life As Well
posted on 3 January 2011 | posted in
Arts and Entertainment
I can remember back to when I was young. We would take the Shaker rapid to get into downtown Cleveland Ohio. I hated the bumpy ride, but loved looking at all the awesome graffiti would see on the passing monuments. I knew some of these "paintings" took someone or a group many long hours to complete. It didn't seem like a bad thing to me. Driving down the freeway and seeing "*$#! off" written on the overpass, to me, is not considered graffiti. That is someone's expression, but not quite art in my eyes - not like, say, Banksy street art. When man first started to draw and carve on stone, graffiti was born. All through out history, all cultures have used this technique to "keep a vision alive". Graffiti can tell a story, it can be a warning, it can relate directions, or just simply be for fun. Yes it is illegal (and wrong) to destroy another's property. As the old saying goes, "boys will be boys", girls to for that matter. More often than not, a graffiti artist is not trying to destroy anything. They are just inspired by seeing a blank canvass. If they don't portray their artistic vision, then someone else will. Gangs get the blame much of the time for "bad" graffiti. I am NOT agreeing what they do is right, but it is necessary for them. Think about any group or business, they most likely have a sign or symbol to represent their business or organization. Graffiti is the gang's way of advertising. Much cheaper than getting a custom neon sign made to. The graffiti way of life does not have any conditions. All you need is yourself, something to create with (usually a marker or spray paint, and a blank canvass. There is no right or wrong style, just let your mind create!
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