I took pictures of these graffiti around the city of Berkeley. To me, these "tagging", scribble- scrabble, signatures of someone on somebody else's buildings and things are not "Art." They're nuisance; messy work of irresponsible individuals who are going around the city and tagging things to mark their turf like dogs marking their teritories with urine.
A true artist buys and paints his/her own canvas, but when you've invaded someone else's space or imposed and forced your ideas on public or privately owned buildings and such, you are not an "artist." These taggers have no respect and consideration for others. If these graffiti were works of "art," why do communities around the country spend hundred of thousand of dollars to clean them up every year? Why are our tax dollars being wasted on this rubbish instead of educational or social purposes?
In short, graffiti is definitely NOT ART.
This poster says it all.
Takara Sake's wall, Fourth street.
AC Transit, Bus # 51's seat and window.
Library's wall, Downtown Berkeley.
A bench, Downtown Berkeley.
Sidewalk, Bancroft Way.
Department store's door, Shattuck Avenue.
Amsterdam Art store, University Avenue.
Newspaper rack, Shattuck Avenue.
Trash bin and sign, Bancroft Way.
The owner of this building was trying to cover previous graffiti with white paint, but the taggers came back and tagged it some more. Tenth street and University Avenue.
Store window, Tenth street.
Gift shop, University Avenue.
City's trash can, Milvia Street.
Corner of building, Bancroft Way.
