The Observation Deck

Grace O'Malley wrote:
So what's the TRUTH?

.....What are the FACTS?

.......What do the most recent crime stats say?

It seems a simple question.

Perhaps there are no simple answers. Perhaps the issue is so complicated that only those who work for the City really understand its complexity.

What is truth? When is crime a crime? Whose facts? Whose numbers? How do you count? What do you count? And if you count aren't you just reducing human contact into a series of impersonal numbers?

Perhaps we are asking too much.

If a car is stolen is it really stolen? Is it graffiti or is it art? Is is disrupting a classroom or is it acting out cultural norms? Who's to say?

As America becomes one vast multicultural mosaic we must realize that one man's, women's, GLBSGDFRQT, crime, is anothers equally valid lifestyle choice.

When New York City was on it's death bed and its public buildings covered with graffiti there were many who defended the decline as "an expansion of lifestyle choices" and the graffiti as "popular art". Were they wrong? Who's to say?

One mans, woman's, GLBSGDFRQT, crime zone is anothers art district. Who are we to judge?

Perhaps the entire City is on its way to becoming one vast arts district. Where some see decline others see transmortification. The mind spins at all the complexity.

Exactly!!!

Let's say that putting thugs in jail is "performance art" and have a good summer.

ummmm. society and the the laws that they live by?
Did I miss something here? Is vandalism really being identified as art?

There sure are a lot of houses for sale in the 'vast arts district', other wise previously known as Lakewood, Ohio! Sure hope we find more artists to rent or buy here....

Is vandalism really being identified as art?

Not all graffiti is vandalism.

There's murals and graffiti that the artist is payed for by cities, building owners, etc.

so to say that ALL graffiti is vandalism is foolish.

That's like saying all photography is radical because you have some famous photographers that take photos of ripped off limbs and body parts, car crashes, and naked people that exploit their bodies for money.

gang taggings on the other hand....

Then let's add the property owner to the list of who's to say

Bill

It would seem to me that even if I painted "Water Lilllies" on three sides of your house, and was not invited to do so, it would be a crime.

If I were to paint your car my favorite color and you did not want it, another crime.Even if I painted your carf perfectly, and added to its value.

The discussion of art or graffiti is the discussion of a city that is losing control. Much like regionalism.

I like good graffiti art...

...in books

jim/dl,
am submitting this piece for archival. lucky to catch it before it was erased from our city forever.

Chris Trapp wrote:

jim/dl,
am submitting this piece for archival. lucky to catch it before it was erased from our city forever.

Chris

I have been documenting tagging in Lakewood for about three years. I have them filed but I also refuse to give them any space in the paper or the board.

FWIW


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jim,
i was just trying to preserve the 'artwork'.
glad to hear you have it covered.

Chris Trapp wrote:jim,
i was just trying to preserve the 'artwork'.
glad to hear you have it covered.

Chris

Always appreciate your hard work.

I am sure I do not get all.


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According to Webster:
vandalism: willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property

graffiti:usually unauthorized writing or drawing on a public surface

If I build a structure along the side of my house, say, oh, something like a sound barrier (can I do that?) and some punk paints crap on it and calls it art, I would call it vandalism by means of graffiti. Then shoot him.

If I hired an artist to paint something on it, I would call it art. If I was unhappy with his art work I would shoot him.

For yo-yo's to deface public or private property without permission, then hide behind "it's art" is old.

*sigh*

I need a vacation.

it is easy to get away with vandalizing other peoples property and public buildings.

But if you pain all kinds of colorful designs on your house, will the city bust you for code violations?

The new suburbs seem to have a commitment to very dull uniform shades of off-white, greyish pastels, etc. New owners are wrangled into Homeowners associations and forced to maintain the monotony.