http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-writings-on-the-wall--regrettably-20110828-1jgj9.html
Is the thought expressed in this link too harsh?
No!
We should avoid the Nanny state nonsense,forget the brutality claims in high sentences .
We demand a nanny state, live in one by popular demand.
Police and just about every public servant works to protect us.
Why are our busses trains bridges and walls covered with the efforts of social misfits.
Now the defense will come hurtling at me.
Talk,and some times true, of the fine works of art some do leave, with building owners even paying for it.
Notice however even those are tainted by the efforts of fools who can not resist.

We have some one charged with removing it and its gone the next day.
Our war memorial suffered last time poor writing worse spelling than mine.
And a challenge, the post code of the thugs doing it.
Seen elderly folks fences covered because they dared to say no.
Or a welcome to town/country artistic paid for and welcomed mural defaced in hours.
If its our kids we say give them a chance if its others we say give them time in prison.
Is harshness a deterrent? then is softness just promoting More?

Hey Belly,
I agree with you regarding the graffiti, it costs business owners and tax-payers big big money to have it removed., let alone trains, and goodness knows what else. Is there an excuse? no, I don't believe that there is.
Any graffiti artist caught by the authorities, should be dragged around the cities for a month, with a security person, and made to scrub it all off. If these twerps are so good at art, why don't they go out and find a job in the commercial art field?. A couple of big strong walls in places away from the public eye should be built, let the 'artists' fill it up, and clean it off again later, but then of course, it would take the thrill of illegal graffiti wouldn't it.?
Cheers my friend,
NSB

Belly:

You do not mention why this subject prompted your interest. My own opinion is firstly, I imagine the age group that indulge in Graffiti would be adolescents. Assuming that to be true, Graffiti is simply an outlet to them towards self-expression through art (of a type). No harm in artistic expression unless the “canvas” is taken from an unwilling donor: In which case the artist transgresses the barrier between right and wrong, to which a penalty applies; but illegally painted art does not necessarily bring universal condemnation!

Looking out the window of an electric train commuting through the suburbs of Sydney for example, one observes a vast array of graffiti in some of the most remarkable positions, most of which would be illegally placed. So it does appear that more than the artistic adornment of graffiti lies behind the endeavour. In the above example, placing the art in a dangerous but secure location ensures the long term existence of the art, to a large degree; indicating the importance of the work to the artist.

Under what heading would you classify the painting of murals on walls for example? To some amongst us, it’s graffiti. To me, its artistic adornment, usually of a previously boring wall. But I think the practise of spray painting “signature tags” which would probably account for most peoples description of graffiti, would rate low-down the list in the expression of artistic talent.

Cont:

Belly: Cont..

Just as the Labor party, in spite of their unpopularity, are still considered a political party, so too would “signature tag” artists rate in popularity. Another question is raised then, is it unfair to cast graffiti artists into categories? Under the law, no; since all unapproved art is labelled graffiti regardless of the quality, and is subject to the same penalty, (whatever that may be). Maybe then, the law should change to accept graffiti art considered appealing by consensus of the general public as legal; in other words, is not subject to complaint from the public, and all other art not considered so, be subject to penalty, if that art fails the public approval test, and if judged unsightly or offensive.

Belly, I'm with you on this one.

My opinion is we only have ourselves to blame for allowing the cane to be banished from our schools, because along with the cane, also went discipline.

Kids that do not respect even their parents will have no respect for anyone, or anything for that matter.

We faught hard against these changes but unfortunately, like many battles, we lost out to the do-gooders

Put simply, kids today, even big kids in their early 20's are untouchable, and they know it.

They cry foul, and all he'll breaks loose, even in the confines of their own home.

What chance do we have.

Diver Dan it was a recent trip to Sydney that renewed my concerns.
I then remembered the footpath art and looked at a few sites including the New York Times.
Found true great art there.
But as Rechtub says we should blame ourselves, yes my party gets it very wrong some times.
See we do not have it much in the country, but come school holidays,visiting kids and its every place.
Seems poor silly beggars think putting their badly spelled name/tag will make them famous?
Comes down to this, until recently I have from 2002 mowed the front of my home and 3 more both sides a lane and a street.
WHY community pride, a belief we should act for each other.
Why should a kid with a can of paint get a kiss on the forehead for doing that to us?
I no longer mow all that lawn, bit crook sometimes very, to see a 30 year old with no understanding of respect, mow just his section?
Pleasure is sometimes in not being used as a door mat.
Community, small word but we should never let a kid, or one in an adults body not learn from such as this.

Dear Belly,

I can fully understand the frustration of finding
Graffiti on one's private property annoying. And,
the trouble and expense to have it removed is
equally upsetting and expensive.

However, having said that, there are some amazing
artists out there - and it would be really something
if their graffiti could be turned into thoughtful,
well organised art that everyone could enjoy. I don't
think that punishing is going to work. You've got to
catch them first - and that in itself isn't easy.
However - if local, and city councils were to provide
designated areas - especially for "graffiti art,"
and encourage these artists to participate in these
projects - we may end up with some very vibrant and
interesting art work in our suburbs that people could
enjoy.

Artists should we encouraged - but in the right direction.
Worth a try!

Lexi, what you suggest may work for normal well behaved, dicipline kids, but the rogues that destroy property with grafiti simply don't want to paint where they ar allowed, as that would take the thrill out of it.

Grafiti is like a crime and they generally go back to the scene, along with others to admire their handy work.

Th only answer i can see is a toughening of our laws, most laws that deal wit juveniles in fact as they are beyond th law and they kno it.

Dear rehctub,

I'm not sure that more enforcement is going to work.
Catching them is very difficult
and not very practical.

The solution
according to the city of Houston, Texas - which has a huge
graffiti problem - is to undermine the motivation of
the "tagger." (which is what they call graffiti artists).

Houston feels that the solution is to wipe out their
"tag," (art) immediately.

What they do in that city is -
as soon as the graffiti is discovered by a citizen or
police on patrol - they call 000 and they have a 24 hour
response team - which is sent out to paint over the graffiti
with some neutral colour. Ideally they state that this "art," shouldn't live more
than a few hours before it's wiped out.

Apparently this demoralizes the graffiti "taggers."
Why go to all that trouble when your "art" will become a grey
blob by sunrise. Nothing to show off.

The response team is apparently not expensive. It often is
just a single guy with a power painter.

They claim that it has reduced graffiti
by undermining the motivation of the "taggers," (artists).

Sounds good to me.

Lexi I understand, it has been tried, two very different types exist some are true art,but then can art excuse it appearing on private or public walls without permission..
A buildings owner home owner or just our town bridges and fences.
Any value in those?
Places all over the world have been set aside right now the New York story is like a walk in an art gallery.
My area saw a retired man,we have coastal area full of sea changers, started removing this the next day.
He is dedicated and got a council Ute and is our savior.
We just do not see it twice.
But as a community, it is still possible in the bush, what value on such as his unpaid for efforts if the kids walk away without learning.
A lady artist did her house, an old timber cottage near here, it looked great.
If an old timber workers cottage village, some still exist, could be done that way it could be a great tourist attraction.
Scrawls however out number art work.

Belly:

If Julia gave every kid in Australia a boat, there would be no crime; kids wouldn't have time for it...Oh, forgot about drug smuggling, but that aside...kids are bored and basically without "frontiers" in their totally controlled lives. Staying at school for the duration of their childhood and adolescence is creating a madness not seen before.

Graffiti, apart from the annoyance, is a low level crime and really an investment in keeping kids out of more serious trouble, by allowing the frontier of the challenge it brings, to escape capture.

Graffiti is what makes the mark that we lived. I don't see in colour, I see art as it should be. I cant say paint or leave your mark, but a true artist studies the from whats in-side, and not reckless mess, as some do.

Anyway.......if your going to leave something of substance....make it for all of time.

A song from my time...I hope you all enjoy:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx2iLOvP0rM&feature=related

Like I always say.....have a nice day.

Cactus

lexi, social media sites have added a whole new dimention to grafiti, as once it is posted, the artist has gained the recognition he/she is after.

i would like to see how the huston thing is going now that the likes of face book are so strong.

one solution would be to find an addative that can be used in the production of commercial paints that wll repel any normal paint once it has been applied, you know, a bit like trying to pant over silicone.

if his were to be done then whats th point in grafiti if it doesnt work.

of cause, these s called artists will simply fin somethng else to destroy, be cause that, along with recognition, is their motive in most cases.

a strech in the armed forces for offenders may be a good place to start as well.

but of cause te same do gooders that have helped create this problem would soon put a stop to that idear as well.

the more i think about it, the paint addative may be the better slution.

I am not going the win Friends but here are my thoughts.
We humans do not give kids much of a chance.
We do try we hold dances clubs places for them to go but few of them.
At the most important time of their lives,early teens or just before, we let them down.
IT IS true! some actually think leaving their tag, on some ones fence, even home, is in some way a thing of Merritt.
Look two kids near me, unrelated and unsure nice young girl dill of a young bloke.
Embarked on childish play, stole a letter box post and all sneaked in to my yard turned the gas off.
Knocked on doors middle of night looking for a lost dog they never owned giggles and fun.
But silly stupid act just like scrawls on a wall.
In the end, how did our education system let these kids think this is what life is about.
How poor are we if kids look to build self image by this act.
Remember the victims.
Rechtub, I see education as the punishment not a flogging.
Let offenders clean up theirs and others and face the locals to hear how it looks to them.

Dear Belly,
I think we might be sliding 'off topic' with this one, but education of children, out side of schooling, should be carried out by the parent(s).
A lot of children these days must feel quite neglected, and some of them after school finishes for the day, are kept in Out of School Care, until their mother/father collect them after work. Mum/Dad are too busy when they get home (don't take this post out of context, I am just generalising here), to sit down with the kids, as they have had a long day at the office, by the time dinner is cooked, or picked up from a take-away on the way home, it is almost time for the kids to go to bed.
It is the few who fall off the rails and commit these crimes, and a lot of kids in this situation feel worthless, and such kids do things to highlight their existence . It cannot be up to the teachers at school to provide what the working parents cannot. I was a latchkey kid, first home from school, had to start doing my chores, of which there were many, but in those days, if kids didn't carry out their obligations we got a good hiding., I am against physical violence, but we were too scared to walk on the wild side.
I would like to see a bit less political correctness in this Country.
Some times tough love meted out by parents can earn a lot more respect from the kids.
Have a good day Belly,
NSB

NSB Gday, well latch key or not there is parenting and parenting.
I have said before most of todays parents are better than my generation.
But not all, we do not own children they are a gift but not forever.
I am surrounded by kids in care, foster kids,their parents? should never have received that gift.
But I can not get the vandalism of this out of my mind.
And the victims.
Rechtub takes a view others do too, punish,well yes but first ask why.
I doubt they understand the futility of destruction done to prove what?
We only have so many potential things to do art on and only a few of these folk any artistic skills.

Dear rehctub,

You could be onto something here.

I've read about the additives to paint.
And it sounds like it could work.
As you say - if the art isn't going to
last - why do it? Takes away the motivation.

My tolerance for graffiti is low - it is just plain ugly. Grafitti is nothing more than dressed up vandalism performed without permission from the owner. But what to do? Jail is not an answer - maybe a community order to clean up the mess? Or a designated public area for grafitti 'art' as has worked in some places (but not all).

In our area the council painted art on the fences along some of the main roads to avoid the ugly graffitti that had characterised them for some time. Needless to say it only took a few nongs to decide to deface this art with their own illegitimate scribblings.

It is a real 'emperor's new clothes' analogy the way vandalism has now been categorised as art or an outlet for youth as an excuse to deface somebody's property.