Should street art be embraced?

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   Ian Hudsonposted 13 years ago

   Some street art is amazing. Peope who just tag on walls make the world look dreadful, but there are people who have real talent. e.g Banksy. Stencil work is taking off in the U.K and it is apearing in many different towns and citys now. A well thought out mural can also have an impact if done in the correct way. Towns and citys should have designated areas where this kind of work can be embraced, this could lead to less "bad" graffiti. Do you agree with my comments?

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      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I do agree street art should be encouraged, but it doesn't stop "bad" graffiti. We have several great murals around Sydney - some some painted by street artists, some by schoolkids, volunteers etc.  In many cases, the "taggers" have defaced these murals and ruined them.

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      Jeff Berndtposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, one man's art is another man's blasphemy, so...sometimes?
      
      I like a lot of street art. I don't like the idea of my own property being defaced (or 'improved') by someone else without my permission.
      
      If the artist is working in a temporary medium, like chalk, then I say go ahead and make all the art you want. It'll go away with the next heavy rain, so if someone doesn't like it, no worries. I'll drop some change into his hat while he's working. This kind of street art is like building a cool sand castle on a public beach. All in good fun, and it should be encouraged.
      
      If the artist is working in a permanent medium, however, they'd better get permission from the owner of the structure, or from the civil authority in charge of it, before they start. Otherwise, it's still vandalism, no matter how pretty it is.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 13 years ago

   I think street art should be observed. Hugging street art can get you some strange looks.
   There are many small towns in central California that have a lot of nice public murals that add to the character of the place.

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      ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree to a certain degree, but would you be saying the same if the mural was on the side of your home, or the side of your business?
      
      Bearing in mind that before selling that home or business, at any stage in the future, cleaning it would be at your own expense?

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         Rochelle Frankposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I agree-- it should be done with the owner's permission or the municipality's OK.

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   ryankettposted 13 years ago

   I am torn on this.
   
   Some of the best art that I have seen is street art, I just wish that the Banksy wannabes would hone their skills before attempting to replicate.
   
   I support designated areas, my town has them, but it doesn't stop the problem.
   
   I enjoy some street art, but if I paid to renovate an end terrace house, render it, then pay somebody to paint it, before somebody came along with a spray can.... I would be furious.
   
   I believe that deciding whether to prosecute those caught should rest with the property owners. If they caught somebody stenciling my home or business, I would happily settle for a face to face apology and for them to clean it off at their own expense. As opposed to criminal damage charges.
   
   But others may, rightfully, wish to press charges for criminal damage.

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   Home Girlposted 13 years ago

   
   Between art and graffiti is such a thin line...
   What do you consider this: Art?
   or Graffiti?

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      Jeff Berndtposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Art, but not art that I like.
      
      More importantly: is it painted on a surface that the artist did not own, or have the owner's permission to paint on? If so, then it's also graffiti.

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   Ian Hudsonposted 13 years ago

   I must say, I would be cheesed off if someone sprayed a mural on the side of my house. I was thinking more on the lines of run down industrial buildings, away from houses. There are some murals in Sheffield city center what look great. These are done by profesional artists, these do make interesting viewing.

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      ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I went to university in Sheffield, Ian.
      
      Hallam to be precise, miss my West Street piss ups and the incredibly cheap fast food joints.

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         Ian Hudsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         haha, small world. I will be sampling a few beers on West street saturday night. I will be doing my final year at Hallam. I have a group on face book called "Art of Sheffield" since you have studied here you qualify to join
         When did you attend?

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            ryankettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            2005-2009 with a one year gap in between.
            
            For the first year I lived at Norfolk Park in those old student digs, can't believe that I didn't get any trouble there to be honest. It was next door to a bail hostel.
            
            Second year I lived down Eccy Road near the Starbucks, loved it down there, a fantastic street. If I ever lived in Sheffield again, it would be there.
            
            Then I took a gap year.
            
            Third year I lived at down London Road, muggers paradise. Hated it down there.

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