From to to and many spots in between, there’s been an increase in graffiti during the pandemic.
According to a report, Vancouver saw a 70% increase in graffiti from 2019 to 2020.
The District of 麻豆社国产says that though it remains a common problem, graffiti here has not increased late. But 麻豆社国产has not been immune from it either.
Someone recently defaced Stan Matwychuk’s Water Wall mural on the Centennial Way and Loggers Lane underpass.
The repairs cost him hours of his time and the municipality $2,000.
But before we get on a ‘kids these days’ rant about this vandalism, we must be precise and careful about what we are referring to.
By definition, graffiti is “writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place,” according to Oxford Languages.
There is value in street art.
Yes, even in the “unsanctioned” kind.
Famous British street artist once wrote: “G you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty, you can make someone smile while they’re having a piss.”
He was not wrong.
He later wrote: “because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better-looking place.”
If you don’t want graffiti, make the city vibrant and exciting and give folks places to express their artistic talents, in other words.
It is hard to argue that a blank concrete wall or steel bridge isn’t more interesting with creative and colourful graffiti.
Graffiti also has a rich history as a way for counterculturalists to express themselves.
But that is not what we are talking about here.
Writing on other people’s artwork, as was done to Matwychuk’s, is simple destruction.
Not art.
Not counter-culture.
There is a code of ethics among graffiti artists, as demonstrated on an engaging , the question and answer website.
The question was asked: “What are some unwritten rules of graffiti?”
Answers seem to all include some version of: Don’t touch other people’s art, or if you do, make darn sure your piece is better than the one you are covering.
The person who scribbled on the Water Wall and whoever has been ruining others’ artwork around town has likely lost the respect of the very anti-establishment folks they may have thought they were impressing or emulating.
Shame on them.
