Let’s start by defining and differentiating graffiti and vandalism. According to Merriam Webster, graffiti is usually unauthorized writing or drawing on a public surface. Vandalism, on the other hand, is best defined as willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property. Well, doesn’t that sound awfully similar? In my opinion, graffiti is a form of vandalism, regardless of the artists’ intentions. If it’s not authorized, it is vandalism.
Don’ get me wrong, I fully support the freedom of expression through artistic approaches. I wouldn’t mind having Van Gogh’s Starry Night spray painted on my door, but who would want obnoxious white gang symbols or random people’s names on my door? So should we just ban all graffiti?
Yes we should. Again, graffiti is a form of vandalism. Nobody should support a culture of defacing public or private property. But should we ban all spray painted art? Definitely not. I think art is fundamental to NYC culture and graffiti is certainly a part of it. In fact, art sustains much of the cultural diversity that our city is known for. In order to continue this tradition, we should allow some of these spray painters to express their artistic opinions. We already have art programs that support public art within NYC parks. We should continue to condone graffiti while expanding public art programs to embrace spray painted art.
I like your approach towards maintaining culturally-expressive graffiti while trying to ban the less aesthetically appealing forms of it. However, I don’t know how the city will be able to differentiate which graffiti is acceptable because anything can be considered a form of artwork.