Vandalism or Art?

Vandalism or Art?

This would be a subject heavily argued by some. Is street art vandalism? Or is it a new form of art? Art is always changing and taking on new forms. Only a few centuries ago a painting by Mark Rothko would be shunned, but it became famous art. So how do you determine if it is vandalism or not? Some say the criteria that the art encompasses may define it as vandalism; writing or drawing some accusing towards a shop or person. For those who live in America it can be considered freedom of speech. It is a way to express ourselves. We may be told go for a run, draw on paper, create your masterpiece on a canvas. Is that really expressing ourselves? 

For example, Banksy. You may not know of this artist, but here is one of his works. This image defines  the nature of street art in my opinion. Isn't that where street art all began, cave art? Others may argue no, but I say yes. For the caves were filled with people, all with different opinions(if we say they had different opinions). The image depicts the image being washed away, being cleaned up. The Great Hall of Bulls is famous, well I hope you know that. In Lascaux France the Cave of Bulls has become a symbol for the earliest art. In Banksy's picture it depicts cave art as the first street art or graffiti. If that is so, then isn't it vandalism? Well that's what the image seems to be depicting.

Photo Credits

Even in my quaint little town excitement still manages to blossom. This beautiful mural now has its own picture frame, so no damage can come to it. I feel as if this picture portrays where I live and the point I was trying to make previously. When this was up for only a short while one of the store owners proclaimed that it was vandalism. The store owner wanted to sue Banksy and wash away the mural. Fortunately not many agreed with him and the mural still stands gallantly on the wall. It was art and added a sense of completion to our little town.

Well thanks again to all my readers! I hope I haven't bored you too much with the subject I'm writing about!