Nothing rings more true than this statement. The whole thing the youngers need to know before going out to destroy everything thinking that’s “how it’s done” ought to find themselves a real graffiti artist to mentor them and tell them otherwise. I won’t for a minute condemn ALL graffiti or street art, whether legal or otherwise, each has its use, but there are very distinct rules that have been in place for decades. That mess down there off of 8th avenue is so disgusting that the single LEGAL wall i have painted on in this town for 4 years, ok three because i was in iraq or one of them, is now under pressure of being painted over by the kind and generous owners of the building.
it saddens me that something i have and will continue to charge in the 10’s of thousands of dollars for can no longer be donated freely to the people of this city.
I will admit to having some non-fans in the community surrounding that wall, but the majority of the people that stop by while i paint are very receptive and great to talk to.
Where some complaints about kids messing things up are entirely within reason. I still believe that the public has plenty to learn in regard to the culture behind graffiti as a fine art. it’s all the same to me. But considering that my next project will now be in Michigan instead of a town that needs more culture, Blair county will be missing out on the opportunity to tax the 30K i would have made if i had more opportunity to market the work here.

probably for the better though, we already have enough silly lightpoles downtown.

GUNE <———

Graffiti is a wonderful form of art, rebellion, and free state of mind. True Graffiti is done with respect.,and should be treated with respect, vandalism deserves no respect.

And. Don’t be dumb enough to boast about where you’ve been tagging on a blog requesting community action. Yeah. You want cred and praise for your work right? So never forget that blog sites catch your IP address, which eventually leads to your ISP provider account, which leads to admission of an act of vandalism and prosecution.

Have half a brain,

TWIG

Your lil vandal,
ACTION

If central PA would take a more positive stance toward its youth, maybe the youth wouldn’t look elsewhere for inspiration. I suggest we fire the “status quo” of local politics by way of voting in more forward thinking people. These kids aren’t criminals out of the womb. They can be inspired and encouraged like any other young mind. I do my best to do my part as they stop by the wall that I paint during the sunnier seasons of the year and a few of them may have learned a thing or two, but their are so many other avenues that can be opened both economically and culturally if the people of Altoona would stand up and make it happen.

You failed to take notice that the writer above wasn’t trash talking graffiti as an art at all. In the opening, he’s specifically talking about vandalism against people’s businesses: not all graffiti.

You wouldn’t like to wake up to see the side of your house decorated with some unwanted picture or design on it, would you? That’s vandalism.

Like you said and were 100% correct about: “WHEN APPLIED TO PROPER VENUES” graffiti is good and is a widely accepted form of art, but it’s another story when it destroys somebody’s business.

You brought it on yourselves, Altoona. Its up to you to either fix it or deal with what it promises to become.