Graffiti. Art or eyesore? I can see why a lot of people have a problem with it. For me it’s become a grey area. At first, I thought it was an eyesore, too, but I’ve grown to appreciate it and spend a lot of time poking around back alleys and industrial parks seeking it out. I don’t condone defacing private or public property, but in a grotty commercial back alley… it’s a revelation. The colours are amazing! The characters and designs are almost always of a humouorous nature, at least here in Toronto, so for me, I see graffiti as being highly entertaining, a pick-me-up. Is it art? I think so.
Like anything, there’s always going to be good and bad examples. We usually have to live with things awhile till they gain acceptance and the cream starts to rise to the top. No one thought too much of photography when it was first introduced but now it’s assumed its rightful place. Humans have been scribbling messages on walls since “Trog” first smeared blueberries in a cave millions of years ago. I guess it’s something in our blood, because we’re still doing it. It’s part of urban culture and personal expression. I’d miss it if it were gone.
