What constitutes the rights
of an “artist” to make a statement? Is it protected speech? Or, does it simply become an
object, a thing, once it is created?
This new “expression” near
my home covers part of a mural at a playground that had already seen additional
“expression” by graffiti artists.
The first amendment to the
Constitution is central to how Americans see our rights. Restrictions on
expressing our opinions, ideas, hopes & fears are sometimes seen as
unlimited. Yet, there are dozens of restrictions from incitement to a crime to
defamation or obscenity.
Artists, whom I respect, in
our community argue that graffiti is free speech. Yet, defacing the "speech" of another is a line that I am unwilling to negotiate. If freedom
to make an artistic statement impinges on the rights of others…for speech, for
property rights, for a livable community…should it be protected? When it is egregious disregard for community values and simply blatant egotism, I can't justify it.
And, when the building is
finally re-painted as protection against the weather, is that an infringement
on the speech of the muralist, the graffiti artist and the most recent shadow
painter?
Provocative commentary. Much as I love Banksy's work, I think I come down on the side of the anti-graffitists (new word?). That position may have evolved from my deeper involvement in the Denver gang graffiti scene. A dangerous thing, in that context. I'm under no illusions that graffiti is, or should be, protected speech, in any event.
ReplyDeleteI am torn about graffiti as a political statement, when it can be clearly defined as that. But, much is pure vandalism and ego-centered disregard for the space we all share.
DeleteI am in agreement with you. There are countless other ways of exercising one's free speech, but this would not be one of them.
ReplyDeleteI do however, like the look of the mural in your bottom photograph. If the building owner gave permission for it, I suppose it's not so bad a thing, and perhaps there would then be cause for a bit of remorse when covered up with a fresh coat of paint.
Over in my neck of the woods, there's mural on a wall by a bus stop in Phoenix with the Saint Francis Prayer that is quite beautiful. Perhaps if people spent more time gazing on it, they'd feel less compelled to deface property elsewhere.
The mural was put up as enhancement for a really run down playground. Recently, the playground and adjacent recreation building/park space was wonderfully renovated. The decision in the community process was that the mural should stay. During construction, however, all the new graffiti was splashed on the mural and last week the wall was further changed with paint being thrown against it. Glad they did not damage the playground.
DeleteNeat that you have the St. Francis prayer in Phoenix...and I live in the city named after him.