In the movie Style Wars, different aspects of the topic of graffiti are presented: the graffiti writers' attitude that they are expressing themselves, that what they are doing is art; the attitude on the part of the city officials that graffiti is vandalism and that it is a public nuisance that is expensive to remove. What are your feelings about graffiti? What do you think of the idea that graffiti is an expression of social identity? Does anything justify the fact that it is illegal? Be detailed in your response (200 words minimum) and feel free to include any examples of graffiti that may illustrate your point of view.

 

Graffiti as a Form of Expression

For me, graffiti are a form of artistic self-expression, just like any other art form such as dancing, theatre, etc. Graffiti can be used by artists anywhere in the world to serve several different purposes: satire, social awareness, political criticism, etc.

Walking in the streets of a city, one can understand the struggles and issues of its different social classes, and the political problems of the area just by getting a good look at the graffiti on its walls. Graffiti can also help express social identity by highlighting the area’s rich culture through visual representations. For example, by taking a quick stroll in the streets of Beirut, one can discover its most revered artistic figures. By drawing the faces of Fairuz, Said Akel, Sabah, and others on the walls of the city, graffiti artists celebrate and showcase their deeply-rooted Lebanese heritage.

However, I firmly believe that vandalizing private property should remain illegal. No matter the importance of the subject of the graffiti or its beauty of execution, artists should not draw graffiti on private property. That being said, I see no problem with painting graffiti in public places, especially if the graffito is used to highlight an important topic, like bringing awareness to a social or humanitarian issue or showcasing the culture and heritage of a place.

In conclusion, the use of graffiti is fine, and even necessary, if it is not drawn on private property. It can be extremely beneficial to its surroundings: its beauty can draw in tourists and educate them on the culture of the place, as well as the local issues.