I've only been entertaining this idea for some years as a fleeting thought. It is of course open for adjustments. This idea would help everyone in the community. It would nurture the talents of growing and maturing youths. It would curb the spending of valued funds involved in clean up and prosecution. It would bring atmosphere, character, and an attraction to the city.
What I propose is a non-profit group of volunteers that has three functions.
FUNCTION 1 — GRAFFITI REMOVAL
By signing up and participating in the graffiti removal crew, volunteers earn rights to participate in Functions 2 & 3 of the "Urban Artists League". These volunteers would be provided with training and materials to remove or cover any art crime that is reported to the league. This group could consist of straight up volunteers as well as court ordered perpetrators to help them understand the harm they had caused.
FUNCTION 2 — NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS
Volunteers and artists participate in creating beautification murals. These projects would be approved by a board or committee and would be applied to business or community properties that are either deteriorating conditions or "idle" businesses.
Murals could also be produced on plywood so that it could be displayed to store front windows that are undergoing construction and renovation. The options here are quite limitless.
FUNCTION 3 — "THE WALL"
By signing up and participating in the graffiti removal crew, volunteers earn rights to participate in "The Wall" . This wall a piece of property that is not in plain view of the public and it's use is donated by local businesses or property owners.
Managed by the program, "The Wall" is an ever changing mural where artists are able to cash in their "graffiti removal" time for wall space of their own. A draft of the artists mural must first be approved by the League before it is applied. The league will insure that no mural contains nudity, brutal violence, or profanity.
Final notes:
Funds could be raised by developing and selling t-shirt designs, posters, etc. What I am talking is not only a solution to curbing crime, but also a way to nurture a culture into a mature, responsible, and helpful existence. All this introduces youth to legal ways to achieve their visions and even how to apply it to a professional trait.
Let me know what you think. Your feedback is appreciated.
Thanks,
Graphix
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13 comments:
I do believe you are on to something here and the first two functions are exactly the kind of initiative Salisbury needs. I cant say whether the 3rd function is viable as I am not one of these "artists" but if its an incentive then im all for it.
It may be a bit idealistic but its just that kind of thinking that can solve, or at least begin to solve, an issue like this.
Now the trick would be to communicate and gain the trust and involvement of those perpetrating these crimes. I'm assuming you have thought this out as well?
I know that it is a bit idealistic, but that's why I want (no NEED) peoples input.
From the "artist's" point of view I believe that the 3rd function would be the key attraction to becoming a participant in the first function.
As for the trust issue. A drunk would more likely trust the advice of a recovering alcoholic than he would from a police officer. Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, this idea will not be a form of law enforcement. Nobody would be under serveilence. Why would they? It would only be legal artists helping each other produce legal art. As a former graffiti artist I am certain about that old saying, "if you build it (the wall), they will come."
All a tagger really wants is a blank wall so that he can tag it - then brag it. Now-a-days the graffiti culture has already evolved to the internet. They take photos and videos of themselves doing the act and then post it online (this is why I disagree with the posting of ANY illegal art). If this idea were to come to light, additional incentives would be available to the participating (now turned legal) artists. If other businesses and people are willing to get involved, I'd be more than happy to host a "Legal" Graffiti site where the taggers can post their work and brag about their skillz.
If I were involved I would love to introduce other legal ways to display their artwork. Ways that are marketable such as t-shirts, illustration, sign design, etc. I think these many incentives would attract the otherwise criminal artist.
If they see good "underground" style graffiti done legally, they will want to get in on the action. As long as it's good!
Unfortunately this won't solve ALL graffiti vandalism, but it would provide the community with a quick way to rid of it at a low cost.
bury
To further address trust, I have considered other details that would address this. If I were involved, my willingness to expose my identity and background would enable them to know some about me. I think that trust would not be so much of an issue if they were talking with people who "been there, done that". I could even get other "legal" urban artists to come to town to speak to them on occasion.
Also, I have added in Function 1 the "court ordered perps". When they meet other members with similar backgrounds and passions, the element of distrust could also be minimized.
I don't think these are "ordinary" vandals. They had a plotted & effectively executed. A ordinary vandal would not waist the time in planning. These folks practiced drawing their names long before putting it on the buildings.
I may not get the current taggers now. But if the program were presently being run, the graffiti would have already been removed.
When the current taggers got arrested. If they don't have a prior record, I think they would end up only with fines and community service. I know other graffiti artists that have admitted to being arrested over 20 times only to return.
If a program like this was in affect when they got arrested, the courts would likely send them to us. Here we would not only put them to work on cleaning their own mess, but we would introduce them to how to market their skills and legally and even make a possible living by applying their talents to legal forms of art such as t-shirts and posters.
My personal experience is that after I saw I could earn a living doing legal art, it became a waste of my time to consider art crimes as an option.
Again I am only going by what attacted me to performing art crimes to come up with what would attract others. They wouldn't be under a bunch of adults. They would be with other peers. Some of which happen to have similar backgrounds but do it legally. I think that the "plotting" taggers would be interested in being a part of this and making it their own.
Accomak, I do agree with what you say. I hate to be repetitive but, "The Idea" may not attract or stop ALL of the graffiti taggers, but I strongly believe it will decrease it and provide an existing system to clean up their work promptly at little (if any) cost.
And what perps do get caught, would likely be court ordered to participate in the program where they would have to clean up their own mess. Also with the help of local artists, the program would introduce them to new ways to reach that same "rush" by producing legal (and potentially marketable) artwork.
iyeska,
I never thought of a competition. But since I grew up in that very culture and generation I can really dig what your putting down! Now THAT could give a rush. And so as not to discourage the "not so talented" ones, they could be teamed up with the better ones. Me Liiiikes!
Yes CM, that would be my hopes. To steer the criminal minded into a productive members of society.
Tragle,
I agree about safety. Liability issues could wipe out any program in a heartbeat.
As far local buildings that would make good candidates for beautification. How bout that stretch of buildings just north of 50?. It faces away from 13 and toward E Railroad Ave. Since they face the notorious Church St district. I don't think any of the business owners ever cared about how trashy their buildings have looked for over 20 years. That area alone has always needed something to uplift it.
Thank you so much! You can also contact me at graphix105-graffiti@yahoo.com
This site is really just to get some interest into the idea. Or to see if there are any alternative ideas from anyone (so far NOBODY has offered any). I'd post them if there are.
I've never really hob knobbed with the elite so I don't have any contacts that could make something like this happen.
I'd love to get involved myself! Full throttle if need be.
So, please. For now you can take this as your first official assignment. Spread the word for people to come here and give input. Good, Bad, or totally different idea. I'd be glad to post it. You don't need an account to comment on this site (yet).
G®@pHïX,
While reading this I started to wonder what actual action will happen out of "the idea" and then you stated "I've never really hob knobbed with the elite so I don't have any contacts that could make something like this happen." So I have a suggestion to get the ball rolling. Take your suggestions to the podium tonight in public comments at the city council meeting. 6pm at the GOB. I'm sure all of this would eventually have to go that route anyway.
Thanks for your advise bury. Unfortunately I can't take it to the meeting tonight on such short notice. I have a previously scheduled event with a group of kids.
I must say though, I do not have any attachment to being a figure head in this venture. In fact I would rather there not be one. After all, it's only an "IDEA.
If anyone would like to take "THE IDEA" to the podium please do so. Just be sure to keep us informed.
I dig the "idea"
a legal graffiti wall has both effects. it can stop graffiti and it can bring some to the area. on chincoteague island, they have a graffiti wall at Memorial Park. i've been there and seen people painting it(most of them very good). and it has completely stopped graffitit on chincoteague. in that case it worked very well.
earlier said that the kids are regular vandals. that is not true. graffiti artist are not trying to harm property at all. that is not the goal. the goal is to get their graffiti on a spot that is very visible or a place that will be seen by many graffitit artist. and they try to get each other's respect by getting more "spots". it is like advertising.
movie stars have there faces on billboards to become more recognized and known.a graffiti artist would risk falling in the watter to tag a bridge vissible from the highway for the same reason the billboard is there next to it.
Anon,
Until recently, I never tried to analyze what makes me want to do graffiti. It's hard to pinpoint motive and reasoning to one's desire to put up a tag when so much of you knows it's wrong and illegal. I think you hit it on the head though. Probably explains why so many graffiti artists end up developing good careers in the world of marketing.
Thanks for the tip about the wall at Chincoteague island. I'll see if I can't find more info about it and post it. Feel free to email me about it if you would like. As with everyone, I will respect your confidentiality.
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