Is Graffiti art or vandalism?

[EEEEEEP]

Here are two images... art or vandalism?



To start off here are some definitions....

Art: the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Graffiti: writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.

Vandalism: action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
......
Many people say that Graffiti is a form of art as it the expression of one's emotions using imagination.  It may be political or cultural or maybe religious, but it is an expression of one's thoughts and feelings.  Its very public nature that makes street art unique, powerful, and amazing.

Many people also say that Graffiti is just down right vandalism and that it looks bad. Maybe that is down to the receiver... whom is looking at it. I do agree that sometimes it looks bad.
...
What are your thoughts on this?

In my experience it depends, if it's done on a train or private property (then it is bad) . If it's done in a quiet space or maybe a marking on a public park, then it is fine. If it's tasteful then it's fine..... who am I kidding, it's not that clear for myself at all...

[Calebark]

Definitely both. They're damaging public property with artistic expression. Doesn't have to be good art or bad art -- it's still vandalism.

Edit: There are a few areas in Werribee that are available for public, legal graffiti, provided it's not offensive

[MisterNeo]

In my opinion, depends on what is created and where.
On the street, I don't really care; on a train or bus stop, it's vandalism.

This is art.


This is graffiti and is disgusting AF.

.

[Joseph41]

In my opinion, depends on what is created.

This is art.
(Image removed from quote.)

This is graffiti and is disgusting AF.
(Image removed from quote.)
 

You think the legality depends on aesthetics?

[EEEEEEP]

You think the legality depends on aesthetics?

I think MisterNeo is saying that it depends on location and/or if the piece has some artistic value.
(correct me if I am wrong =))

[prickles]

Graffiti is art when it has artistic value and is done with permission
Graffiti is vandalism when it is damaging, an eyesore, and is done without permission
Therefore, it can go both ways

[hansolo9]

I see a lot of shop roller doors covered in graffiti. Some are actually nice (probably commissioned by the owners), and some are those ugly tags.

[slothpomba]

There's tagging (just writing a name/alias) and theres graffiti.

I think spraying your name on a wall, totally for self-gratification, can't be considered "art".

Spending time to paint an actual image with some kind of message and putting a creative process into it can make it art. I think a lot of this type of graffiti is a legitimate type of art.

Art isn't defined by whether it is illegal or not, it's not that kind of category. It can still be outrageously illegal or offensive (note the mural of Kanye, Kim and Taylor Swift in bed near Richmond) and be art.