Graffiti: Art?

Is graffiti an art or a nuance?

For this discourse, I’d like to focus on the illegal aspect of graffiti on public property.  Commissioned work is equally as beautiful, but I’m interested in opinions towards individual expressionism.

Graffiti entails a personal freedom separate from other artwork, due to its illegal rush.  Not speaking from personal experience, but being a participant in illegal activities such as jay-walking, riding your bike on the wrong side of the road, or driving barefoot (clearly my motor skills are limited by the law), I can empathize with the rush one gets from participation in illegal activities.

So what is the general consensus towards graffiti?

Is it a public indecency or a contribution to society?

Frankly, I’d side with the criminals out there, and say that the majority of their markings are beautiful.  Walking around the Ann Arbor area, you can see a wide array of graffiti on walls, signs, and electrical boxes.  Graffiti liberates the individual and the city.  Plain concrete was meant to be painted.  They scream for the attention.  It only seems natural to paint the world and make it as colorful as possible.

Have a great weekend!!

Sara majors in Art History and enjoys long walks.