Graffiti - art or vandalism?
"Graffiti, illegally placed in public space, is treated by some as an act of vandalism, by others as an art form." It's a Wikipedia quote. But I don't mean the definition or the history.
What puzzles me is, why those who paint want their anonymous painting efforts became well known and public? Can this action be compared to the activity of a troublesome neighbour, forcing everyone to listen to his favourite music? A neighbour who implies that it is only the adversity that makes him a listener and not , for example, a disco polo star? Both graffiti artists and people deafening their neighbours want to become known, but the latter are noncreative. Simply turn the knob, move the slider to the right or use the remote control.
In turn, those who paint on walls, fences and wherever possible have a certain idea.
To realize it, they have to plan it, buy materials, choose the time and place. Sometimes it is more spontaneous, expressing their disapproval of the surrounding world, or stressing their resentment towards someone. Sometimes you can meet slogans with political overtones. Then the content is more important than the form. One colour is enough.
When a sign of creative imagination is presented to a wide audience, it begins to live its own life.
I would like to present something that for most people may have little to do with art. These are not the works of recognized painters who made history e.g. Swiss H. Nagel , J.-M. Basquiat or K. Haring. They are the ordinary ones, found on the outskirts of many cities and towns or in places where young people meet. These are the ones that are more interesting to me than the recognisable and the beautiful , full of references to art.
For most , they are probably scribbles, antics and a sign of vandalism.
Of course I am against grafitti on renowated elevation. However, in places more suitable for this type of expression, they sometimes come as an intriguing surprise to me. Something that it is not allowed to appear suddenly becomes more than a collection of spots, letters and slogans. My imagination starts working. Who and what for has come up with the idea of expressin emotions this way? Who is the recipient of the message? Anyway, let the pictures speak.
Finally, one more information. Most of the attached pictures show graffiti that no longer exists. It was removed with the structure supporting the flyover during the renovation of the railroad.
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Copyright © Kazimierz Ratajczak