When Does Graffiti Become Art?
I have had this discussion with friends. When does defacing public property become art? If you tag a brick wall belonging to someone else is it art? If someone defaces your graffiti do you become upset?
If you deface a tree in a park with two sets of initials and a heart is it art? What is every tree had been engraved? Or corporate logos appeared?
How about if you carve an intricate face into the tree? Okay, one face might be cute but what if ninety-seven people decided that it is a great idea and followed suit? Is the one face one too many or is there another larger number?
11 comments:
Tena koe ehoa
This is an interesting question you raise and then subliminially vent your preconcieved opinion on by stating When does "defacing" public property"....
For me the question is not about Art, it's about the places in which people choose to display Art.
Aligned to my own perception of what the real question is, I would say that defacement of any public property or private property for that matter, is a criminal act. What is chosen to be displayed on those surfaces....can quite easily be inferred as Art, in my opinion by anyone who chooses to look at it.
What you have captured as an example is for me very artistic and what I would consider Art. But I wouldn't for one moment appreciate the locality of this artistic display unless this was a predesignated area for doing so.
As for what defines Art? I think that's a question of indivduality or the individul eye and mind.
I like your comment on this. I guess my use of "deface" was not wisely chosen.
Poor Ekim, I see you've just had a run in with political correctness. the question you've posed is a difficult one. I mean what is art? It seems it's wahtever the 'arbiters of good taste' decide it is. Although I take a lot of photos of grafitti, I think the despoiling of a living thing like an ancient tree is pretty piss poor. I have no idea why people feel compelled to leave indelible marks on ancient objects, like monoliths, temples etc.
They can do what they like with the concrete and plastic of the world, they may even improve it.
wow, a difficult question ...
what's art? and where can you "put" art? Of course I don't know!
I usually think of a graffiti on a tree as a damage to the tree itself: I agree with ndiginiz's comment, it probably depends on the context.
Anyway, you a very interesting blog, I will come back often!
Well,everything is an Art,art is out there waiting for us to perceive their presence,their connection with us.The world is Artistic ! defacing public property is cool because nowadays it is just too damn boring to walk on the street without all these surprises :) btw Great shot !
Art is around everywhere,from the rangoli(color motif in frnt of our doors in India) we paint to the little sketch on the wall.I feel as long it does not become an obstacle or run into redundancy.It wil remain art for the viewer.like they say beauty lies in the eye of the beholder..look for more and great page....
Interesting sculpture!
although I wouldn't want the whole forest to be like this, just this one tree is a great work ! Good capture !
this is really cool Art indeed!
Many Peoples in this country (and many others around the word) have been culturally modifying trees for... well... forever.
Markers are left to show trails, communicate, pray, and express creativity.
I see this "tree-face" as art, for sure, as it says a whole range of things to me. But what's more to my point is that it has taken skill, energy, and conscious placement.
The most important feature for me is the location. This carving exists within a context that is inherently artful. It doesn't ask for anything (like a Logo does), it is totally in harmony with the other trees (as spray paint would not be). And it is the extension of ancient practice. I think there is a powerful metaphor here... about humans as a part of ecosystem or perhaps as ecosystem. 97 other people are not going to run out and carve trees, if only people cared that much about art.
Thanks EKIM and for what's its worth, I thought your use of "deface" was a pun. Politically Correct is ok and I'd rather know how people really think.
Great details on this sculpture.
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