Public art is a powerful means of expression and a starting point for important dialogues. Think about Maya Lin’s Vietnam Memorial–a national public monument–we spoke about in the previous lesson. Traditional street art is also considered public art, but without the proper permissions.
Graffiti is vandalism, by definition, which makes the street artists criminals. They have a variety of motivations, including fame, destruction, or even a way to claim space from the ever increasing world of advertising and corporate control. How do you view this form of expression? What is the line between art and vandalism? Do you think only those that pay for space must have visibility in the public sphere? Do you like street art, and if so, is there a point when it has gone too far? Is this an effective way to critique society and get everyday people’s attention? Who owns public spaces and the streets and who gets to advertise their message?
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