So I'll start off by saying that I'm very in between about graffiti. Its kind of difficult for me to explain how I really feel about it. Graffiti is an art form of expression. And what is art? Well who's to say? I believe that art is supposed to inspire; to trigger something emotionally in us that the only thing we can give back to it is appreciation. When we started watching the video there was this guy who was talking about how when he does graffiti on a special place, he feels like he is connected to history. I thought this was nice and very moving. As he was talking and showing the camera some of his favorite places i actually felt him going back in time. In Cape Town people started posting things like "free Mandela." The people in this city felt like it meant something to them, it made a difference in peoples lives. It was a chance for them to make their voices heard. This is similar to the guy that started his graffiti with the Chicano movement. They both started graffiti for practically the same reason. I support people that do their graffiti for a reason, for a purpose. I support the type of graffiti that when you see it you feel something inside of you and it moves you. In my last post, i mentioned that art is everywhere and everything and anything can be art. There are people in other countries that do graffiti because that's the only way they can be heard. I was touched by the different types of graffiti in those other cities and countries, but when they started talking about the graffiti in Los Angeles my mood drastically changed. It seems to me that here in LA graffiti is more gang related. I believe that an artist would want other people to express themselves too, but that is not the case because like the guy in the video said, people get shot just for tagging in another gangs space. People getting killed for trying to express themselves by other people who are trying to express themselves? I simply don't understand this! And also, these people aren't just trying to express themselves, they are trying to declare a territory that honestly doesn't belong to them. It belongs to the people of the community and the people of the city. I would like to think that art is something beautiful and emotional, but then again scribbles that mean nothing to me could mean everything to someone else. Like beauty, art too is in the eye of the beholder.
Hi Valerie,
ReplyDeleteSo i agree with you that there are good and bad reasons for using Graffiti. How you said, people using Graffiti in order to make a difference in their community, or just in their own lives. people trying to make political statements in order to stand up for something they believe in, and using graffiti in order express themselves and be heard are all great reasons for using graffiti, and their art should be appreciated. Yes I agree. I also agree that using Graffiti in order to claim territory that isn't there's isn't right. Although the motive behind the art isn't right, it is still art. Art is something that shouldn't have boundaries. it shouldn't be limited to only "pretty" things, or have only positive affects on people. That is the beauty of art. All the controversy and uniqueness art comes with is what makes it so exciting. All art should be appreciated, be it in a good way or bad, but appreciated nun the less. Now just because we appreciate the art doesn't mean we have to do the same to the "artist". If we begin to put limits on what art we should and shouldn't appreciate due to motives, beauty or any other reason. Where will we begin to draw the line? So that is my input. :) good post.
hi there, stopping by comment Friday! have a great weekend! oh! by the way, do you have any idea when our museum trip due?
ReplyDeleteCool page! Its comment friday!
ReplyDeleteIt's COMMENT FRIDAY! :]
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Just a friendly hello :) for comment Friday!
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ReplyDeletehi...im here for friday cm.
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ReplyDeleteI’m here to say “HI” about friday comment….^_^
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND...^_^
Very cute page!
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ReplyDeleteHappy comment friday honey
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ReplyDeleteValerie,
ReplyDeleteAs Gladys mentioned - you page looks so great! :)
A nice post considering multiple perspectives on Graffiti Writing.
I think that out of both 9a and 11a at least half the class seemed to state the same thing you did, that they felt really positive about graffiti writing around the globe... and then when it got to Los Angeles they were disappointed or even ashamed.
One argument that a lot of people make and was also expressed in the documentary is that a lot of the public like the "pretty murals" and don't like the "ugly tags," but that they go together, that you can't have one without the other.
For sure motivations do vary, some are in it for aesthetics... others for adrenaline... some see the elaborate murals that crews spend days on as the highest form... others say they just want to bomb.
It will be interesting to hear what you see and think when you try it for yourself in Venice beach.
Thank you for your thoughtful write up! :)