NationStates Jolt Archive

I'll just use that one word because everyone knows it...but really there is a huge culture in this.

I just saw a great documentary on the TV about graffiti in Melbourne, and I have to say that some of that stuff is amazing. Particularly stencil art.

This is one of the major websites in Oz about this topic:
http://www.stencilrevolution.com/
Unfortunately much of the website seems to have database issues right now. :(
But if you know any other websites, feel free to post them.

At any rate, what is your view on graffiti? I won't do a poll, just because it's a diverse topic with many potential answers and I'm bound to overlook some.

Some graffiti is art, some isn’t.

Writing “fuck” or “west-side” on the side of a building is pretty pointless. Some of it is beautiful though and I have no idea how they do it with spray-paint. It’s always best to get permission, of course, but establishments with certain reputations have been known to actually pay graffiti artists for their work and I can’t say that I mind the ones who “vandalize” freight trains. A lot of them run through this area because of the concrete manufacturing and it gives me something to look at when I’m stopped at the tracks.

i dont have a problem with it. some of it is amazing artwork...

Where should graffiti be allowed? One's own private property and of those who voluntarily allow the art. Not everyone may appreciate creativity when it's written in bold letters along their fence.

moving from a place with quality graffiti to a string of of places without any really makes you appreciate it.

the only good stuff in any of the towns i've lived in since i left chicago has been anarchist stencils. otherwise it's all just "cLasS of 2003!!" scribbled on highway overpasses.

Where should graffiti be allowed?

billboards, bridges, and banks.

more generally, anywhere where it represents an aesthetic improvement over the corporate or bureaucratic bullshit.

I like some graffiti, but most of it is shit and meaniless, its like emo-poetry. Some poetry is good but most of it is shit.

Especially the "BONE THUGZ" that has been popping up everywhere.

billboards, bridges, and banks.

more generally, anywhere where it represents an aesthetic improvement over the corporate or bureaucratic bullshit.

What one believes is an aesthetic improvement is a hellish abomination to another.

Mmmm.. graffiti.

In Philadelphia there is tons of the stuff. They use to punish those cought doing it by making them paint.. it was either paint over it.. or paint nicer things than gang stuff..

Well they made it into a club because it was so popular.

It's nice seeing the paintings when you go exploring..

This one is on the road going into Philly (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Goomg/philly/57f15dca.jpg)
Other painting (http://www.dsgordon.com/murals/philadelphia.jpg)
I think this is the old mayor.. (http://www.aminus3.com/_images/archive/user_000002/image_000834/cooper_building_small.jpg)

http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/images/newfullsize/kissingcoppers.jpg

In Philadelphia there is tons of the stuff. They use to punish those cought doing it by making them paint.. it was either paint over it.. or paint nicer things than gang stuff..
The thing is that you can never defeat it by destroying it. The movement lives on constant change. Every time you paint over a piece all it does is create another clean canvas to create the next.

Graffiti is fine, if it's art. In fact, I don't see what the whole complaint about artful grafiti on unused walls is all about. If nothing else is there, how can a bit of art harm it.

Gang signs, on the other hand, are not ok, since they are used to promote violent Gang Wars (sounds like the next big MMO :p )

i live in the north eastern suberbs of melbourne. and when i take the train into the city. i always look at the graffiti on the buildings. its fucking good. lol

There should be legal graffiti areas to allow the actual artists to express themselves and whatnot, and graffiti on trains and the like doesn't bug me. But woe be the little punk who vandalizes a historic or beautiful building.

My last trip to Europe, I noticed that Venice's back streets were covered in graffiti. Such a beautiful, historic city, and some douchebags decided 'hey, you know what this wall needs? Spraypainted vulgarities!' It's committing a crime not only on the property itself, but also on everyone who passes that spot.

The thing is that you can never defeat it by destroying it. The movement lives on constant change. Every time you paint over a piece all it does is create another clean canvas to create the next.
I like this "next piece" you talk of.
:fluffle:

http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/images/newfullsize/kissingcoppers.jpg
Ok, that's hawt..

Mmmm.. graffiti.

In Philadelphia there is tons of the stuff. They use to punish those cought doing it by making them paint.. it was either paint over it.. or paint nicer things than gang stuff..

Well they made it into a club because it was so popular.

It's nice seeing the paintings when you go exploring..

This one is on the road going into Philly (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Goomg/philly/57f15dca.jpg)
Other painting (http://www.dsgordon.com/murals/philadelphia.jpg)
I think this is the old mayor.. (http://www.aminus3.com/_images/archive/user_000002/image_000834/cooper_building_small.jpg)

That isn't graffiti.
It's all building murals.
Either the business or the city paid for those to be painted, some towns are full of those.

However, that is still a far stretch from expressive graffiti.

http://dev.null.org/_gal/h/Melbourne/StreetArt2002-2004/img_3890
http://www.snogfever.com/images/Stencil02.jpg
http://www.livid.com.au/stencil/

My true graffiti story:

A few days ago, I went into a toilet at my school.
On the wall of the block I went into noticed some writings.
The writings said:
"I need my c*** sucked."
In a flash of inspiration ande wit, I opened up my school bag (I was carrying it at the time) and took out a marker.
I wrote underneathe the graffiti:
"Who says people will pay for what they want, but not for they need?" :p

Well, I found it funny. :D

That isn't graffiti.
It's all building murals.
Either the business or the city paid for those to be painted, some towns are full of those.

However, that is still a far stretch from expressive graffiti.
Meh.

*looks through google*

http://www.jam2dis.com/images/graffiti/past.jpg

Is that better?

Public bathroom graffiti.
I could sit there for hours reading all of it.

Public bathroom graffiti.
I could sit there for hours reading all of it.

On some college campuses I've been to, Bathroom graffiti has resembled some debate threads on NS very closely. In between lewd and immature commentary, that is... Although that could be the reason for the similarity :P .

Some of the stencil stuff is very clever & way cool. I really like it. I hate the stuff you see (particularly on the trains & stations) where they only write their tags, but don't actually draw anything.

On some college campuses I've been to, Bathroom graffiti has resembled some debate threads on NS very closely. In between lewd and immature commentary, that is... Although that could be the reason for the similarity :P .

LOL, yep. In one stall at my uni there is your typical troll making "fuckin' faggots" etc. style remarks, followed up by some people attempting to debate it rationally.

And underneath, someone drew a huge goatse.

:D

LOL, yep. In one stall at my uni there is your typical troll making "fuckin' faggots" etc. style remarks, followed up by some people attempting to debate it rationally.

And underneath, someone drew a huge goatse.

:D
I wonder who did that.. :p

I wonder who did that.. :p

Ha!

Not me. I don't usually carry pens and permanent markers into the toilet with me... o.O

Actually, now that I think about it, that's weird. Why do people do that?

Not me. I don't usually carry pens and permanent markers into the toilet with me... o.O

Actually, now that I think about it, that's weird. Why do people do that?

to take part in the low tech version of the ns general forum.

obviously.

to take part in the low tech version of the ns general forum.

obviously.

Yeah, but...there's probably better places for that that don't usually smell like feces and urine...like classroom tables. Or something.

And underneath, someone drew a huge goatse.
:D

WTF...? :confused:

Oh, wait, forget it. I don't wanna know.

Yeah, but...there's probably better places for that that don't usually smell like feces and urine...like classroom tables. Or something.

but those don't quite have the internet-like anonymity of the bathroom stall

WTF...? :confused:

Oh, wait, forget it. I don't wanna know.

Google it. :D


but those don't quite have the internet-like anonymity of the bathroom stall

Meh. They do in a library.

but those don't quite have the internet-like anonymity of the bathroom stall
Lecture Theatres do.

The thing is that you can never defeat it by destroying it. The movement lives on constant change.

though if some lasts long enough, it winds up being historically important in it's own right. like the ancient workers' graffiti in the great pyramid, for example.

Yeah, but...there's probably better places for that that don't usually smell like feces and urine...like classroom tables. Or something.

You've got to have something to do while you're s(h)itting in one of those stalls. Having a pen on hand to engage in some (ir)rational debate or the drawing of immature and/or disgusting pictures just helps to while the time away. After all, what kind of experience would it be if you had to take a shit while staring at four pristine walls? How would you feel without the addition of comments like "Cheyney got a headshot" and "Jesus loves you" modified to read "Jesus loves poo" or something equally obnoxious and sophomoric?

Google it. :D


Didn't I say I didn't want to know?

though if some lasts long enough, it winds up being historically important in it's own right. like the ancient workers' graffiti in the great pyramid, for example.

That implies that American culture will be remembered by historians through the bathroom-stall graffiti of college students. I find that quite apropriate for some reason.

though if some lasts long enough, it winds up being historically important in it's own right. like the ancient workers' graffiti in the great pyramid, for example.
But they usually cut into the stones, which will can be observed thousands of years later.
Paint will disappear before that, leaving digital photographs as the only way of conserving it.

Meh. They do in a library.
Yes, but.. they could just go on a computer there.. mmm bean soup!

You've got to have something to do while you're s(h)itting in one of those stalls. Having a pen on hand to engage in some (ir)rational debate or the drawing of immature and/or disgusting pictures just helps to while the time away. After all, what kind of experience would it be if you had to take a shit while staring at four pristine walls? How would you feel without the addition of comments like "Cheyney got a headshot" and "Jesus loves you" modified to read "Jesus loves poo" or something equally obnoxious and sophomoric?

But see, these were written on the walls to the side and behind of the toilet. I don't particularly want to think of the logistics involved in taking a dump and writing that.

Didn't I say I didn't want to know?

The mystery will haunt you forever if you don't look it up.

But see, these were written on the walls to the side and behind of the toilet. I don't particularly want to think of the logistics involved in taking a dump and writing that.
Maybe they got locked in?

The mystery will haunt you forever if you don't look it up.
It's your fault if he dies.

It's your fault if he dies.

DIES?! WHAAAAA?!

No, no. Don't wanna know aout it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

DIES?! WHAAAAA?!

No, no. Don't wanna know aout it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Getting curious aintcha?!

Erp.. no. Not going to be evil.

*runs from temptation*

No!!!

*presses power off button on computer*

Getting curious aintcha?!

Erp.. no. Not going to be evil.

*runs from temptation*

No!!!

*presses power off button on computer*

I'm tempted to post the pumpkin one at least.

I'm tempted to post the pumpkin one at least.
He wouldn't understand the evil.

Cant they do it on their own private property???
In and on subways, train stations, public building, retaining walls, major highways, schools it really looks disgusting.

If they are going to do it they should do it on their own private property of at some youth center or something. It costs the governemt a fortune to clean up and ruins a cities image.

If the people are caught doing it illegally they should have to clean it up and if they offend my times have their thumbs chopped off or something to that level.

Proper graffiti is awesome and I don't mind it one bit. However, as an earlier poster said, "fuck" and "west-side" do not really come across as art to me.

It...ruins a cities image.

no. you know what ruins a city's image?

advertising.

All of the stencil links Neu Leonstein has posted remind me of cubism, for example http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/PicassoGuernica.jpg.
Not to mention, make me want to go to Spain.
Would someone mind postulating as to why?

On topic: Most graffiti is art, but its not good art, thanks to the liberalization of that academia these last few decades.
I could have done equivalents with finger paint. *nod*

http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/images/newfullsize/kissingcoppers.jpg

Hah! Banksy. I have a book of his work at home.

no. you know what ruins a city's image?

advertising.
I couldn't argue with that, but why introduce one eysore just because of the presence of another? That said, I there is some graffiti out there that is genuine art. But I do think that it ruins the image of a town. If they want to be artists they can be artists elsewhere.

They should graffiti over advertising

I couldn't argue with that, but why introduce one eysore just because of the presence of another? That said, I there is some graffiti out there that is genuine art. But I do think that it ruins the image of a town. If they want to be artists they can be artists elsewhere.

On top of that, the advertising is placed in spots that they lease or own. It's not permanent. Graffiti, more often than not, looks like ass. The people who do are mostly asses, because they think they can tag whatever the hell they want under some artistic license. A lot of nice buildings in cities get ruined because some kid wants to spray some vague phrase or dumb logo along a fresh brick siding. It lowers property values and encourages further crapization of public and private property, and I'm sure most of the people doing it would not appreciate it being done to something they own.