Kansas City Springtime brigs street artists out in full force.
Admittedly, some local artistic expression has more merit than others.
However . . .
TKC WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A QUICK LESSON TO MAINSTREAM MEDIA NEWSIES REGARDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRAFFITI AND TAGGING!!!
More to the point . . .
KANSAS CITY DOES NOT HAVE A GRAFFITI PROBLEM, KANSAS CITY HAS A TAGGING PROBLEM!!!
The world's most accurate encyclopedia explains it this way: "Graffitiis writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place . . . Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and it has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire."
In Kansas City graffiti is a competitive practice that's often commissioned and even when it's not, nobody really gets up in arms about it:
Graffiti artists represent diverse cross-section of Kansas City and their street illustrations are often celebrated.
On the other hand . . .
Tagging is garbage usually employed by gangs to mark their territory.
Nobody will defend tagging. It's a lame practice that blights neighborhoods and offers another glimpse at urban decay.
But the distinction between graffiti artists and taggers is important and even resonates down to the street level. The delineation is betwixt these to practices matters if only to avoid yet another instance where all po'folk and people of color are lumped into a clumsy category with the help of media elite.
Whatever you want to call it, some of these people have too much free time on their hands.
ReplyDeleteThe tagging is a problem and the gang graffitii really pisses me off. All of it demonstrates that none of these a-holes have any respect for anothers property. This is nothing more then vandalism and IF someone is caught in the act, community service ordered painting household exteriors for seniors and shut ins who need their homes painted but have no funds or the ability to do so.
ReplyDeletetony... you're own freakin' definition betrays your point:
ReplyDelete"The world's most accurate encyclopedia explains it this way: "Graffitiis writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place . . ."
Did you miss the word "illicitly"?
Don't let Mexicans buy spray paint. Problem solved.
ReplyDeleteGraffiti works. If you destroy your property with graffiti, nobody will notice the tags. Genius!
ReplyDeleteYou know why Mexicans don't write checks? They can spray paint there name small enough!
ReplyDeleteYou know what you call a Mexican with a paint roller and stencil? A forger!
Graffiti or tagging, either one is not my thing. I have seen some amazing graffiti before, and appreciated the talent, but I wouldnt want to live next to it, or wake up and see it outside my window.
ReplyDeleteHow could that possibly help property value?
Actual some of the graffiti is very good, such as the one with the snake like creature and shows artistic talent even thought it is by definition vandalism. I do not include tagging in my comment. If it defaces, it is graffiti. If it enhances the value, it is a mural. The difference is in perception and presentation. America is good at wasting talent and encouraging the mediocre while ignoring the talented.
ReplyDeleteJohn Lennon said it best in his song Working Class Hero:
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school,
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool,
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules,
Nothing that putting a bounty on the taggers won't cure.
ReplyDeleteOne hand - $100
Both hands - $1000
Head [no need to turn in the hand(s)] - $10,000
if you want to live in Saudi Arabia. Go more there.
ReplyDelete