Torn about graffiti

petrolgun.jpg
Originally uploaded by jonnybaker.

The Christian Science Monitor has a story about "guerilla art," which some people might call graffiti, "Backstory: A London scene set by guerilla art: All around the city, street artists are stopping people in their tracks ... and thoughts."

I am always torn about writing about this because I don't favor damaging/marking our public places. And I worry that showing an image like this would encourage similar activities here.

On the other hand, I appreciate political commentary and it's important that we all not be sheep.

The article discusses the famed street artist "Banksy," and an annual project of his, "Santa's Ghetto." (Also see this article from the Guardian, "Season's greetings from Banksy and friends: 20 underground artists set up shop on Oxford Street; 'Affordable' works at Santa's Ghetto.) There's are many interesting images from this exhibition on Flickr (some duplicative).

I do think this issue is worthy of an exhibit somewhere in DC and an ongoing discussion.

While not related, the Baltimore Sun has an article about Annapolis embarking on a mural project, "Plan aims to bring art to people." I like how they referred to the public realm in the city:

"This is an innovation, with a mixed palette, and certain things need to be evaluated," said Donna C. Hole, chief of historic preservation. A key, Hole said, is whether the paintings and photographs will enhance what she calls the "big outdoor rooms" of Annapolis' streets, building and sidewalks. City officials who safeguard the pristine 18th- and 19th-century architecture say the artwork must blend into the areas for which they're proposed.

Index Keywords: graffiti