Margaret Kilgallen is featured in Program 1: Place		Barry McGee is featured in Program 1: Place

Silvia Tinajero - South Gate Senior High, South Gate CA.
I am an art teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District, I have been so for 3 years. What I have noticed from my students regarding graffiti is that they want to be able to express themselves in an artistic way. I help them integrate the art they view and know from their communities into new forms of art. Although, I do prohibit the use of tagging style writing in my class. I do see a difference in Graffiti or Aerosol art and let my students integrate this form into their self-portraits, just as long as it is legible and not related to any type of gang. I grew up in this area, 10 minutes from Watts, Compton, Downtown LA. and know that we do lack support from the Arts in our communities! I hope I am making a difference and showing my students that art is very broad and ever changing. What art is to me is having my students express themselves and seeing the end result ,which is self-confidence!

ROC - belmot, la
graffiti is not a crime is art is best i am a graffiti artist but people say iam a tagger

thiago - santa maria rs brasil
graffiti it's art,you can paint for many causes,and you can see this by many ways:paint for fun,just do it,but at the same time,paint all,destruction,vandalism.People think by different ways,and should be respected.For me,you have to be you,do what you think it's rigth.Graffiti it's art,you just can't stop paint!!

"SIST_ONE" - ANN ARBOR
WELL I HAVE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION FROM A GRAFFITI WRITERS POINT OF VIEW I'VE BEEN PAINTIN
'ON WALLS, BRIDGES, ETC' FOR 6 YEARS NOW AND THERES NOTHIN BETTER THEN GOIN OUT AND CREATING SOMETHIN OUT OF NOTHING AND FOURMING SOMETHIN THAT WASNT THERE BEFORE IT CATCH'S THE EYE AND GETS THE GIRLS IF ANYONE ELSE HERES IS DOWN TO PAINT LEAVE A POST AND I HOLLA BACK. "KING OF THE ANNARBOR GRAFFITI SCENE" -PEACE.

CHRISTINA - Independence H.S., Glendale AZ
I belive that graffiti is a positive way for people to expess themselves...therefore I think that yes it is art...

urbandrum1 - Riverside Community College, Riverside, Ca
see the true problem with graf art is that....
1) it does not include a football
2) it has only now been semi-accepted by the art community as art
3) it does not make sense to corprate america or the world for that matter...except when they can work it in to an ad or promotion trying to be neeto hipsters.
4) mainstream america does not dig it... it must be art

roque foo - G.C.C., los angeles, ca
graffiti is art as well as vandalism. why? well let's compare both forms:
1. for graffiti to be seen as art one has to take it or visualize it outside it's chosen area(i.e. the wall). one has to apperiate it for what it is not where it is. would a picasso or a michalangelo masterpiece be any less of a masterpiece if it were done on a wall?
2. graffiti has many forms of art. for example, in abstract art- the artist tries to portray the essence of the object he/she is painting. that maybe why we can't see an actual image. a graffiti artist does the same in a form called wild style, where the artist portrays the letters in what he/she believes is their truest form.
i actually have more points, but i have to get to class. thankx for the oportunity to express myself on such a great subject.

joe walsh – Avondale, Manchester, UK
I believe that graffiti is an art for street gangs wh go out to paint their name to be recognized.How can it not be an art is my question anyone that puts pen to paper is making art this is just the same but paint to wall or fence or door.

ErIsMonEyS - northeastern catholic high school, philadelphia, pa
Listen people graffiti is an art that is denied by the government. If a graffiti artist does and enourmous piece theyll get arrested for doin so but if someone draws a squiggly lin on a piece of canvas thats art? I think that graffiti should be legal because I have been caught twice now and I am very frustrated because of this! My website is http://eris19125.tripod.com where you can check out some of the graffiti in philadelphia pennsylvania and please remember that we have a right to freedom of expression but where is it?

ReCLuSE graff spider - broadalbin-perth high school, Amsterdam, New York
Of course graff is art. I've been doing Graff for a couple of years now. graffiti takes skill, style and it takes a lot of expression. Just because it isn't done in a studio doesn't mean it's not art. People consider some of the stupidest crap art so they should consider Graff an art form. I hate when people act like Graff artists are so bad when there are drug dealers and prostitutes out on the streets. Graff makes plain ugly gray buildings look so colorful and great.

shane – working, London, harrow
I think that Graffiti is totally stupid altough it does brighten up walls SOMETIMES ONLY! there should just be one huge, gigantic wall where anyone can graffiti. And dat shud be da only place. oderwise dey shud get arrested for a long time as afterall it is ILEGAL! So come on carry on doing graffiti. Good on you!!!!!!

bitch that bites – kuyper, Sydney
i think lesbians rock and all u people out there should just leave us lesbians alone!!!!

BEST ONER B2sk - VAlencia HS, brooklyn NY
GRAff is an will always be an art form to my eyes so peace to all writers and f the system
Eat sleep and graff (dont Bite)

Angel Alvarado - Valenplia HS, Placentia CA
Graff art is and will always be an art form to me cause its a way of expressing your feelings towards whats goin on in the world and in your life.Its also something thats in my life writin on walls is something I get really into doin and when im at it there is nothin that can stop me,ok maybe the cops. graff is an art form cause it has many elements for example you got the throw up,peaces,hit ups, one linerrs,bobles and one of my favorite 3D's and alot more that many writers are comin up with. so no matter what people say about graff to me it will be and art form to my eyes.

Jason - willow glen high school, san jose, California
Yes graffitti is an art. Us graffitti artist use the same techniques as well known artists. Most people don't consider it art because they don't under stand the trouble wee go through to get where we are, and I feel that if they would take the time to hear us out that graffitti would be excepted by all.

LITTLE CHICKEN – WHS, HOUSTON,TEXAS
I BELIEVE ART WALL IS NOT BAD BECAUSE WHERE EVER YOU DO IT ON A PAPER ON THE CONCRETE ON AWALL IT WILL ALWAYS BE ART WETHER PEOPLE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Lauren – Gateway, St.Louis MO
I think graffiti is a form of art and i dont care if others think different. I love to do grafitti because it lets my imagination even bigger. I have a talent that some people dont have. I may not do graffiti on wall and such but i do do it on paper and its still fun to do. Almost everyone i kno likes the lettering i do for them and to them its art. I like seeing graffiti on walls because its just a self expression on how someone feels.

BiG TiPsTaH - CoMpToNe HiGh, BiG BaD CiTy Of CoMpToNe
Of coarse graffiti is art...how can it not be?? Being a graffiti artist myself i truely understang other graffiti artists mind.. There is a difference between graffiti and tagging. When a person graphs they usually do murals with peeps nick names and characters. I will always graph regardless of what people think..StAy Up CoMpToNe

andy - www.gle.nl, Holland
talking about art is difficult because what is art i think everyone is an artist because everyone is a piece of art by his one every uman is unique. and i think that graffiti is the mirror of the people who realy live in the streets.

Josh Terceira---..JOTS!.. - Central High, Providence, RI
Graf is always gonna be art, and just cause some rich govment officials dont want us "defacing their trains" doesn't mean its bad. Take a look at some graf next time you pass it...just look. Even my moms is into it now (yeah its freaky) but just cause its illegal dont mean its not art. I'd much rather look at graf for free rather than pay 30 bucks to get into some crappy art gallery. Graf isn't just scribbles...I've seen pieces put up over 3 hours time, 6 feet high, 10 feet long, and is that just scribbles?! Look at the Saber piece in the aqueducts in LA (May it Rest In Peace)which took OVER 97 GALLONS OF PAINT!http://www.artcrimes.org/wam/sabersticker.jpg Is that just scribbles? Kill me right now if it is. GRAF TILL I DIE!

TRC – Adelaide, SA
i have been arrested about 4 times for graffit,and it is absoulte bullshit,some writers get put away in jail longer than rapists and murderers,graffiti is about personal expression,i do it for me. my own self satisfaction, not to be cool and do shitty little tags,to go into a train yard bus yard or just in an alley and do a full blown piece and go all out.get out of there without getting caught,is not only an artform in its self it is an entire underground culture.doing a masterpiece on a canvas and having it hung in a gallery or exhibition is hard and costs alot of money,you cannot put a price on having people walk through youre piece on the train on the way to work on the morning..graffiti is hardcore artistic expression,for some it is heaven but for most it is hell.

sunny - north gwinnett, suwanee,ga
i think graffiti is a valid art form, and it is incredible what those artists can do with a can of spray paint. it is just very misrepresented by all of the gang symbols: "tags" it is this imitation of graffiti art that is vandalism, and those who do it are not artists. just like cubism, impressionism, or any other new art genre, graffiti is looked down upon and scorned by the general public. but who wants to be normal anyways? the "normal" person does not accept graffiti because they cannot understand it.

Coral Cay - Meridian Jr.High, Kent, WA
I think Graffiti is art, most deffinetly. It isn't "bathroom art" or gallery art, but it's stick-in-your-face-and-deal-with-my-message art. I think that wonderful artests that the only way they can get noticed is on a wall is pretty bad, I mean artests are so over looked these days, we need to bring art back into our lives. Stop being so prim and proper, guess whos back again, art is back, tell a friend. Boo watch out im coming for ya with my fists of paint and pencil.

Valerie - anderson high, austin, TX
for a 15 yr old as myself to make a statement, i know art. graffiti is art. there are all kinds of art. either legal or not it's art in everyway. graffiti for many mexicans like me is an expression of life. they paint their thoughts, hopes and their lives and show it to the world for hope or for pride. but to come devestated when one does not appreciate it and destroy what to them is all they have. it may cause problems to the city or state and they destroy or 'clean' it but what about the artist? they only feel like the world don't care. i hope you people get an idea what i'm saying here.

-@*Astig*@- - UCLA
I think, Graffiti is an art. I believe that each artists have various ways of expressing theirselves to the public. I myself before considered it as vandalism, but it then came to a point when i stared on one graffiti down the street,, i told myself that it's a way some people express themselves which maybe others cant appreciate. One more thing not all artists can imitate the styles people who mekes graffiti....=P =)

micky
graffit is art..
oh what am i saying,
its a matter of opinion really,
im going back to sleep...

nseya – whlsm, London
graffiti is not a crime, is an other form of art. and art is a form of expression. there is what they call legal graffiti. it is true that some people do it as a vandalism, but if there was more youth centre and more kid off the street maybe it wouldn't happen.

Laura - Australia
I believe that graffiti is not art! Graffiti is VANDALISM!!!!!! Graffiti could lead to crime. Scribble - How could scribble be Art!! Think first before Act, graffiti have been on peoples property without permision!

ROPAS, New School - Brooklyn, NY
That's a stupid question. Anyone who has ever studied art knows that at some point in the documented chronology of art, around the time of Duchamp, anything an "artist" called art became art. Graffiti writers don't do it for respect from institutions, to get paid, or to be accepted into school. They do it for themselves and for each other, to reaffirm their existence in a world that increasingly tells them that they have no control. The validity of graffiti as art would only be questioned in a country like America, where an artist is looked upon as a nuisance and a disgrace if they do not generate capital from doing what they love. It's not about money or grants or acceptance. That's what makes graffiti so uniquely American. We struggle under the weight of oppressive capitalism, and occasionally we are painted over, but the signs of us will always appear and re-appear.

Johana Guerra, Belmont High School - Los Angeles, CA
Graffiti to me is and always will be a form of art.I am proud to say that I am an artist of this type of art.Through my eyes, Graffiti is very special and unique.When ever I draw,I never wonder that what I do is a bad influence in my community.For me it's the contrary. Graffiti lights up the community.It makes "el barrio" more colourful.When I draw, I try to show my love for my "Raza",my people, my art, my Mexican Pride. Throught out Graffiti, I can express this feeling that i have so strong for my culture.True graffiti is not tagging on the walls to gain teritorry from other gangs. It's way beyond those barriers:it comes from the heart. I'm proud of this art and of the artists.I just hope that someday Graffiti would be realize as art and not as a disgrace to society.That it will be appreciated and the artist will be recognized as true painters.In the mean time, I shall continue to do what I do best and that is to create my art that I love, GRAFFITI.

Leo Braaksma, MAVO - Netherlands (Friesland)
I saw a link to this page at Google.com and I saw the question "Is graffiti art or not and why or why not?" I think Graffiti is art because it's something not everybody could do.You need to be a litle bit talented I think. This were my thoughts about it. I hope they can help you.

BR - Denver, CO
Graffiti as art? Absolutely. Graffiti accepted by the general public? Not so much. The thing is, graffiti is often attention grabbing as you walk down the street, ride the train, etc. It is forced on the public (as opposed to going to a gallery or private venue)like an advertisement on a billboard. Imagine if billboards were used (instead of buildings)for graffiti (instead of advertising). Would it then become a socially recognized form of art? Would that then change the essence of graffiti?

jayson ( RED ) - art institute of Colorado, colorado springs co.
art please, every one with style knows,
where else are you going to get this free art show.
the way it stands out and glows,
look at the lines and how well they flow,
graffiti artist are the most talented and creative, but this we already know.

ac – new york
Graffitti art is excellent and being a gallery owner I am trying to attract new art forms that are moveable - and would love some graffitti artists to feature their work. I do not agree that any wall is a free canvas though. If you own it fine but otherwise, it may be my property and until I give you permission you are violating my space. I hope in the near future more galleries that offer all venues of art also include graffitti art work.

billy68 - Middlessex Uni, london, UK
Graffiti is a cultural excercise in self-expression and freedom of speech. It is about intervention but also communication. I would like you to go online to http://www.vandalsquad.com and see a site that promotes online graffiti. Is is the same when your graffiti does not destroy physical property? I definitely think so.

sam – Kennedale, edmonton Alberta, Canada
i feel that graffiti is a form of self exspression

Joseph.t - de la sale, auckland, new Zealand
yes ido thnk graffiti is art, az otha peps think othawise, sum peps c it az a crime but wat thy dont c is wat da persn bhind da art iz exprssin & relatin 2, they r exprssin wat thy feel. u c wen sum peps feel emotional thy dont exprss emotion thy keepit 2 thmselves if thy could channel dat emotion into art thy would hav sum good work of art wethr thy r good or not it does not mattr... "wiri'z finest up in here"

John - St. John's University, Flushing, NY
While, I appreciate the artistic talent it takes to create graffiti, I think you are missing an essential point. Whether ii is art or not is art is irrelevent as you have have no right to the property of another person. That person did give you permission to draw anything on the side of their building. This essentially boils down to property rights and if you believe they exist, because if you do, then it becomes obvious that defacing the property of another is something that society should look down upon.

sceem – fohi, fontana ca
im a graf artist and i fell that this is one of the better ways to express your self graf is art it gets me very mad when people say the kid who mobs has low self-esteem thats a bunch of bull keep mobin keep it real sceem cil crue

RaVeN_ FrOm Da AB KreW - Auckland, North Shore, New Zealand
ive been writin fo 4 years now sprayin and bombin da baboombom outta walls or whatever surface i can find and i tell you, graffiti is not just my art, it is a major part of my life as with all writers i know. Gettin up and expressing how you feel what you feel and how you feelin it in any way you want, to me, thats how it should be. Toys dont get rekognition because all they do is pull out a spraycan and wryte their tag on summin in such a wack style it isnt even considered to us as graffiti. 2 me there are two classes.... taggers and writers, you should distinguish yourself between the two groups then check if its really the true art we writers like to call quality graf graffiti is the most expressive form of art there is i love it wit all my soul til the day i d.i.e. luv to all tha trues and my baby krystal -RaVeN-

Abraham Gonzalez - Dodson middle school, WILMINGTON C.A
they might be bad or good.Some of the people that i know tag they are from a crew here in wilmington it is one of the top crew here.This cew starts all the way from mds. to hs. i think that is not a crime to tag unless they are destroing some ones life

Rachel - llwyn y bryn, Swansea
i am styding n/d fashion and clothing and am currently writing an essay on graffiti while i have been styding this subject i have realised the talent on these artists well thats what i would class them as thanxs rach.

HAZE - WHITTIER HIGH, WHITTIER CALIFORNIA
I think graffiti is an art but some people miss use it. I my self do grafiti but i do it on my own property. Not like other people that go fuck others peoples property. Go look for emty lots, or abandid places. Keep it a art dont make it a crime. And stop all the hating out there.

zin - whittier high , LA California
graffit is a fourm of art however when it is on some one elses property other then yours it is a act of vandalism. with this said i can now say that graffiti is art and a part of some people culture. peaple grow up around graffiti . especially in the lower class ares . graffiti is not a lower class art .art is art . graffit has been put down by society. graFFITI WILL NEVER END.

Andy
Graffiti IS art. Whoever says graffiti isn't art then they have it totally wrong. Maybe if you look at you average Graffiti Throwup in the streets then you might as well say Graff isn't art but when you look at the real shit like pieces and stuff. You see alot of Artistic Style. Just with the lettering some Artists practice for years to acheive a level they wasnt and the filled effects in graffiti just don;t come from nowhere.

ASTER - Madison,San Antonio TX
Man yall need to relize we arent out to make money we are jus giving you somethign you need to take the time and relize it graffiti is free! its about expression you want more of my mind hit me back peace ASTER REP

magician2000 - Hanford, CA
Graffiti may be considered an art, however since most artist pay for the canvas that we use. Be it paper for drawing or painting, old saws, or even a traditional piece of canvas. Without the permission of the owner of the building, train car, truck, or any thing else the graffiti artist uses. Then that person is a vandal.

This is directed towards Giovanni... What would you think of someone who went up to your car, or house and started painting on it?... Belive it or not, I am willing to bet you would probably be as pissed off as the owner of the building you were tagging... Would it be OK, for him to paint your house and car?... With what he felt was art???

Any expression on to any form of canvas can be considered art... But if you don't pay for the canvas, or are commissioned to work there they you are trespassing and vandalizing other peoples property... How about if he had just put a fresh coat of paint, alas just a plain coat of any color paint... And you went an tagged over it... Could we consider you an art censor, since you didn't like what he had there and covered it up?...

Isa - (homeschool) Mililani, HI
I think graffiti is lovely, but I can understand if say, you own a cheeseburger hut and someone graffiti's an anti-cheeseburger mural on the side of your cheeseburger hut, you'd be rather disturbed. They should assign public walls open for artists to express themselves, the problem being everybody would want to restrict what may be gaffiti'd on the wall ("No profanity or explicit graphics") . . . Try and make it a positive supportive thing, paint over the public walls every six months so that new art can sprout. Oh, I know! How about hire some big wealthy company to have graffiti done all over their corporate headquarters -- then graffiti will become very uncool. By the way, what's the difference between freedom of speech let loose in public air and freedom of written word on public walls

Viel - cesar chavez high school, phoenix AZ
Yes I think Graffiti is art except for the gang art thats just all about gang banging. But the art you see in frieghts is art to me. I like to see it. visit www.graffiti.org
and www.silentwrytes.com these sights show you alot. I like the letters and colors.

ViSiOn - representing West Philly, Jersey
There is no question about this. You can't give anyone a can of Kry and think they can just throw up a peice. It takes skill and mad practice like any other form of art. All you haters out there dissin graffiti can just keep wishin. You aint gonna stop this game baby. Its gonna happen til the day you die. Peace, im OUty---------ViSiOn--be in the look for this kat----

leanne - bishop wand, feltham England
i thik graffiti is art and it shouldnt be illegal some people express there self by doing graffiti i think sum of da stuff i ave seen is wicked!!!! safe!!!! keep it up.

Perish_O.S. - H2 university, santa fe NM
well graff is an art but it is a lifestyle...
rebellion against corporate society...but to try to exploit it by selling or taming it to let companies prosper off some cool idea that a graff artist created well that's not cool. trains and freights are where it should stay or be seen...respect to all

jeremy, lenoir city high school - lenoir city, tennessee
Graffiti is most definately art in my opinion i mean writers put there life on the line by tryin to get up i mean some people would wrather call the police and have them chase you than to realize your passion for what you do. This isn't to say that everything spray painted is art. But a lot is.

beatrice - romania
I guess it is! I don't do graffitis but some of my classmates do. But only on paper. A couple of years I did graffitis too, on paper.
It's cool. I think I can express my feelings in this way. It is a an art...I like it very much.

Estridge, Brownsburg Junior High School - Indianapolis, Indiana
I think that graffiti is art becuz it took some people time to think of designs then for them to the get colors that would flow with the whole thing. It also represents people and who they are like regular art it also represents the artist or artists.

Clayton Needham - Beal
Graffiti Art is something that people need to get over and realize that its not going to be stopped. I am a graf artist myself and I dont care if I get arrested 10 million times or get put on death row , I will do it to the day I die . There are many others out there like me.
Its only the punk kids that tag on things that show great disrespect , like a grave stones or another artist work. If you are true graf artist you know not to tag on things like that , you tag on things that can be painted over or big corperation that flood our minds with advertisements every day (Which is another form of graffiti)
I am not well spoken as you can see. But graffiti art is something not to ignore . Its getting bigger and bigger , and taking up more room in art gallerys . I personally do alot of canvas work in my studio at school . But you cant just do canvas work and think graffiti is just that . You need to be doing the illegal stuff to really capture the essance of graffiti . Graffiti is something bigger then you all think . Its going to change the world someday. Its just that we have to get over it . The ART OF GETTING OVER. Peace, Mantis.

nunya bizness - New Zealand
Art Wanks

thomas cleary, HIRAM COLLEGE - Newport, R.I.
The responses here are rather refreshing and are indicitive of a group of people familiar with art and expression. However, if this forum was made known to all of the average joes out there i beleave the response would be quite different, unfortunetly. Graffiti is most certainly art. Those who would claim otherwise are allowing ignorance to overcome reasoning. Simply because one does not understand the motives, style, or purpose of graffiti does not mean that it isn't a very important and diverse form of art. Speaking for myself as a graffiti artist- I feel as though the often constricted realms of 'traditional arts' can hinder creativity and expression. Through graffiti art (i term which is becoming more difficult to confine this innovative form of art to), i have found a forum with which i can express myself and explore unbounded artistic development. Not everyone that does graffiti participates in the destruction of public or private property. Although if cities would provide writers with places to paint (legal walls) not only would there be less vandalism but city walls formerally drab and useless, could be given new life. Rather then try to take away its validity and demonize it, if a more pro-active solution was saught after, i think everyone for or against graffiti would be better off.

kEmZ oNeR, university of maryland - germany
graffiti is most definetly an artform. every artist recognizes that art is a boundless and free. when writers paint they transfer thier soul onto the wall. for myself graffiti belongs to a subculture consisting of mostly youth or better put youthful souls who are not content with society. we paint to voice our opinion. we also paint add color to life. plus graffiti cannot be stopped!!!

AuRa, Riverside Community College - Riverside, California
As a writer I believe that graffiti is art. It takes vision, creativity, and talent- not to mention balls. I was arrested for it a year and a half ago and am just getting back into it. I feel that a piece on a wall is more inspiring to this generation than a picture in a museum in some damn foreign country.

Kristin, Univ. North Texas - Coppell, TX
Jean-Michel Basquiat!!! SAMO!

k8, Batley School of Art - England
if people would actually recognise graffiti as an art form then these artists could be provided with proper spaces to spray and exhibit they're work. It has been arround forever and it is about time it got the credit it deserves. xx

fontana giusti, flavia - Rome, Italy
I think that graffiti are art .by this form of art people says what they think. Graffiti can express what you think about politic problems or social problems with another way for express your own opinion than writing it,it's a personal way of expression:you can write or draw.

Cenz, AW Dryfoos School of art grad - West Palm Beach, FL
The graffiti art movement has outlived many other existing art movements, and like every new thing- it is hated in its own time and only can be reflected upon years later. It will be a while before the cattle realize this is a valid art form. If you see it, remember that someone made it for you- so enjoy it! Next time your stuck at a train crossing, enjoy the expirience and look for some of the greatest artwork you will ever see racing across your face! Myself and others spend there time and money designing and risking our asses just to express ourselves to the general public. We're not paying galary fees so some old fart can say what he thinks what art is. This is in your face art, you either enjoy the visual stimulation of looking at it, or you atleast admire what somebody went through to put it up for you. Graff is art for the people! litghen up society!

danielle, berkley normal middle school - new zealand
Graffiti IS an art. I have just recently been researching graffiti as a result of a debate that we were given for school. The topic is that kids who do graffiti and tag are artists. I am on the affirmative team. From what I understand, graffiti is a way for people to communicate and hre their emotions and personal views. It doesnt matter whether its illegal or what, its still an art. anyway whose to say what is and isnt an art? who even god dam nos what art well and truly is? well i believe and am now thoroughly convinced that graffiti is n art and have good faith that i shall win the debate.

Anonymous
TAKE GRAFFITI OUT OF THE GALLERIES AND KEEP IT ILLEGAL! That's what makes it so powerful. I have mixed feelings about whether or not it is art. But hell, i don't exactly know what "art" is. As long as it remains as something that is done for self satisfaction, whether it be some scibbling in a bathroom or a production, it will be art. When you start to take the innocence out of things (putting graffiti in galleries) you take away the feeling of accomplishment.

Mr. Y, TECHSHA - SA, MALAYSIA
in my opinion,graffiti in forever an art.some said they didn`t like the graffiti,but who care`s?They didn`t appreciate this art with their heart but only their f***ing minds.But absolutely,maybe they didn`t have minds,sh*t!

Chris Stephenson, Bishop Barringhton - Bishop, Auckland
I love Graffiti i don't do it on walls i just do it as a subject in school.

SLERPEM DMS - MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Expressing your self is art right????? i think i am right.. , now u can express your self in alot of things , now graffiti art is one of them
most people do not understand wat it is about other than graffiti artists... thats why there is al this confusion and shit.... graffiti art will neva stop , people have just got to look at reality.

Paul, B.C.I - Brantord, Ontario
Of coarse Graffiti is art...Its a form of exxpession which is not taken lightly by police because it is also vandilism...Graffiti is given a bad reputation because some "writers" have no talent-incompitent-TOYS-also beacause they write or spray obsenities...i think writers want to expess themselves to the world and the only way to do that is threw graffiti.

B Collins - Paris, France
I grew up in New york City in the early 80s doing graffiti.I can say that to sit home and do a canvas was not the same fame.There were some galleries in soho, but they were always out to make a buck off you.It was definitely a non color thing with other writers.White boys hanging with the spanish writers and black,we didnt get caught up with the forced ,i like you cause your black trip.If you could hook something up you were down.I turned to be a musician and still feel the same ethic is used.

ViSHuN, Nice Try - Silver Spring, MD
I'm a writer and graffiti is definitely an art form. It takes skill and time to produce, and the results can sometimes be gorgeous. The problem is that it is viewed as a problem by most people because it gets negative media attention, and scares the bejesus out of conservative white folk. However, if people would take the time to learn about the culture behind it, they'ed find that graffiti is a totally non-violent means of expression.

geoff, jenison high - jenison, michigan
graffiti is DEFINATLY art...why are graffiti artists criticized only by the tool they use and the way they express their art...they are constantly blamed for society's problems just because they use a spray can instead of a paintbrush, etc. if they were to use a different medium in which to express themselves, they would be seen and accepted as artists...why not now? most other artists work in favorable enviroments...never worrying about the law, getting hit by a train, and even death by expressing themselves...graffiti artists do...and will always be hated unless the community treats them as true artists...not felons...(pRaFeT--"AeRoSoLiCs"``feeding tha 616 uprise...)

israel, STEELE CANYON - San Diego, California
GRAFFITI IS 1 OF THE BEST ART FORMS TODAY.I AM A GRAFFITI ARTIST AND I LOVE TAGGING ITS FUN.IT LETS ME EXPRESS MY SELF THROUGH PAINT.ITS PART OF THE HIP HOP CULTRE. 1 OF THE 4 ELEMENTS BREAKING,SPINNING,MCING,AND OF COURSE GRAFFITI AKA TAGING.I DONT KNOW IF PEOPLE WILL EVER ACCEPT THAT ITS A ART . PEOPLE NOW A DAYS DONT APPRECIATE IT.THE HIP HOP CULTURE IS THE BEST!I ALSO DJ ITS FUN TOO. WELL THATS ALL I GOTTA SAY. PEACE, ISRAEL, AKA KERUPT.

Camilo Villanueva, Benito Juarez - Chicago, Illinois
What kind of question is that? Is graffiti an art? Of course it is and it always has been, and it will continue to be an art. There is just so many reasons why it is consider an art. First of all, most people do graffiti because it's away of expression, or they just want to get "ups"(recognition). Other stupid people who could just do tags, and write on garages and/or people who just scribble stuff to represent or write some other dumb stuff on Private Property are WAK! They are just giving graffiti a bad reputation. I did a powerpoint on graffiti based on how artist deserve legite places to display their amazing art tallents. Since everybody does graffiti over here at chi-town it's very popular. Almost everywhere you look there is a "fill" or a piece. I'm also gathering with graffiti artists, so we could do a mural, to show the neighborhood pride since I live in a Latino area. WHAT WOULD THE WORLD DO WITHOUT GRAFFITI? Well Peace out, and to all those graffiti artist out there keep doing what you're doing and much props!!!

dave, northbrooke college - brighton
graffiti is an art form,because if it wasn't, why would it be called street art. just because it isn't a canvas they use doesn't mean it's not art,there are many forms of art and graffiti is one of them, for the walls are thier canvases. alot of graffiti has alot of meaning to evryone,stand back and take a look at it for 10 minutes and it may mean something to you. the so called graffiti i hate is where not time thought or imagination has gone into it, and it's just slagging someone or some thing off,now that not art!!

werd, hard knocks
grafitti is an art form as is any expression of ones innerself. to stream your emotions in a way of visual art and have someone be drawn into the spectrum of the peice is a quality few have... art. the graf artist is one of the most overlooked dedicated artist; risking freedom and physical safety(rip dash and other fallen artists) to express themselves... thats an urban artist trying to build strong. there is no definition for art....

Wyze - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
i thgink graffiti is efinatley art. and the people that dont liek it dont understand it. it 's part of our culture. yes i think random throw ups and rtags are pathetic but then i remember o used to do that stuff. thats how beginners strart out. u cant jsut start out with huge colorful bombings. you need to learn what nozles to use get can control so u dont drip. its alot harder than people think. and i have been caught and arrested and charged twice for mischief under $5000 and fined. i dont care. they can take away my money but they cant take away my mind or my opinion. i will forever support and do graffiti till the day i die!. go to www.vicvandals.dutchdamage.com these are some of the best artists in victoria and Ghost was a skitzo and graffiti was his life. He commited suicide and 1 of the reasons was the negative impact everyone has on us graffiti artists.

n2 - Berlin
If you want to see graffitis online click: http://www.graffitinet.com
Over 10,000 graffities from all over the world. You can submit your own pictures by online form.

Dabija Alexandru, The National School Of Architecture "Ion Mincu" Bucharest - Bucharest, Romania
It stands from times far beyond our known history and will be for sure a very true form of expression if not of art...not all expressions of graffiti can be called art because some of them are forced and it is the place where the "players" are not always original...but as all the arts,graffiti has its peaks and its "kitch"-es...my personal opinion is that the first graffiti-es were that of the cave-men's...a form of expression,artistical expression and a form of comunicating and transmitting information...What if in some hundred years from now on,our grand-grand-grand-children find information about the way we "hang around" now? It remains the problem of vandalising buildings,or other existing things that were have not been thought to be "bommbed" with graffiti....that's true,as it is true that the true art of graffiti doesn't mean necesarily to vandalise things...it's just the way it is ,because as poetry needs paper to be written on, so graffiti needs places to appear...so I blame it on the authorities.

Anthony Stewart, Eastern Michigan University - Ypsilanti, MI
YEAH for sure it is art that isn't even a debate on the other hand what makes it art is an interesting question. I feel it goes beyond the whole illegal thing because it has become commercialized and even brought into the gallery if anything the graphic aesthetic mixed with the specific location is probably the most valuable function of graffiti. It can become sculptural depending on the site and the idea that it can travel on trains is a whole other aspect, I mean there is definitely a type of pseudo political statement within the bucking of the establishment but, I think that the truer refinement of the art form is yet to come. I think that the illegal aspect becomes a better narrative when it becomes interactive, and somewhat functional as opposed to just being a "tag" as a sculpture major I am interested in the direction of object as graffiti as art.

cId gEelaN, Wangaratta High School - Wangaratta, Victoria
I believe that we all have talent...and we all have different minds. It's all art, and the use of different medias. It's just that theirs is a damn lot cheaper. I love what they do it makes train rides more interesting and it is inspiring to see. I wish I could do what they did but instead I must be satisfied with photographing it. And if it wasn't illegal then it would take away all purpose and meaning, the risk of getting caught is what drives these people to do there best work. Keep it up...

Laura Ridout - Clarendon, England
I think graffit is art and it has some meaning to people

Andrea - CNCC Fort Collins, CO
Although I am just learning about graffiti, I believe it is a wonderful art form. I am currently researching for a paper on why it should be encouraged, the research has been really interesting. Someday I would like to be involved community based art and I think that graffiti is most definitely the original community based art. I feel that if encouraged and respected artists would be able to develop their works into very influential cultural pieces.

SIGN - Edmonton, Alberta
It is art. As dubious as some overzealous kids associated with it, it should still be recognized as an art form, yet the viewers mind has to make adjustments of perceived conventional ideas on what art should be. As a graff writer I support the vernacular arts, and proud of it.

Eugenia - Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College
Epsom, Surrey, U.K.
I see graffiti as a valid art form. In a society where we've chosen to live in cities, in gray blocks and concrete houses, where one building equals the other, it seems that graffiti emerged in order to bring some colour into our lives. It is streetwise, and therefor honest a way youth communicates, a way to criticize society, to break the boundaries and let creativity become a part of everyday art. Why is it that we still believe that art is only valid when shown in a gallery or a museum, when it's been institutionalized and given a stamp, a stamp saying that is now is officially enabled to be called art - only because of where it has been placed at. Art is where people create , and graffities have been created by people therefor they are a valid form of art. They are spray paintings, comics or drawings of poems or written thoughts....Art.

Artist - Rochester, NY
As an artist what I find most compelling about graffiti as an art form is the immediacy of expression for the artist unencumbered by the weight of process choices (the time to build a skill, stretch a canvas, expense of a given medium) and delays inherent in those choices. The immediacy of response from the audience and almost certainty of a response is equally interesting. Graffitis' ability to define a new way for artist and audience to collaborate in a space they both share is a theme worth examining more. I share most people's concerns that the simple gratification of an artistic urge is not sufficient to justify violation of property owned or shared by others. One interesting intellectual challenge in this art form is finding a balance between applying discipline in the process while respecting boundaries and not forsaking the spontaneity of the creative act. Is it possible to provide a controlled environment for fabulous graffiti and where would that be?

Mary A. Luevanos, Freelance Art Educator - Detroit, MI
There is no doubt that graffiti is art. It is a movement that began years ago and is a valid as other movements by name "expressionism", "modern". "classical" etc. it is the chosen movement of todays youth. Like any movement, there is the good and the not very. You don't even have to understand, like Picasso's Guernica, you can appreciate the movement, the texture and by doing so you validate the art of todays young artists.

Anonymous - Texas
I can truly say that graffiti is art because I've been around it. I know what it's about. But.......What is art? Could anyone truly define it? BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. People don't see things the same way, everyone is different. One thing though, Society is cruel. They would rather ruin an artist's life and waste tax money having them in jail, instead of just removing the graffiti. Last time I checked...... graffiti was removable.

Deskryptic - Colorado
If it's not "art," it's because graffiti is BIGGER THAN ART. Graffiti is an accessible art form which: 1) SCARES artsy-fartseys who paid a lot to become artists (ie. schooling) and have had so many of our cultures resources poured into their "self-expression." 2) scares the mainstream because it: a) primarily welled up from YOUTH culture. These days, that is interpreted by (at least the media and mainstream) non-youth as thieves and violent criminals, and b) is inherently POLITICAL. People in this country to not have access to the "legitimate" spaces- billboards, bus stops, TV, even the spaces in front of you in the bathroom which are all "rented" to legitimate businesses for commercials and ads... This is all that fills our mental landscape. Graffiti artists and taggers remind us that life can exist outside the predetermined box. They remind me that we're not as free as, perhaps, the people- no the companies controlling our visual environments (so that they can make the big $$) would like us to believe.

Elizabeth Mullaney, Teacher/Arlington School - Brookline, MA
As a teacher of young adults with special needs and an artist (photographer) - I love the energy and spirit that goes into graffiti. Not all graffiti moves me, when Igo out to photograph it and to make it into a document of sorts, Ilook for images that use the texture of the wall/structure that it is marked on, color, and meaning. Ilove the rawness of the emotion and the connection to real community issues that comes through in this art form.

Paola Jaramillo, International Fine Arts College - Miami, FL
Keith Haring drew graffiti on the streets of New York, and he was never looked upon as an outcast or a criminal. Graffiti writers are artists, having more talent than some of the worlds greatest renown artists. I think graffiti artists should use what they have to better themselves. Make money off of your talent instead of wasting it on illegal walls. I believe that one day hundreds of years from now, graffiti artists will appear in history books as some of the greatest artists to have ever lived.

Laurence Cameron - England
Graffiti is a very valid form of art, it has a bad name, yes, and should not be done illegaly, but If you look at something like the turner prize, where art is nothing more than a messed up bed or a room with lighting, graffiti is very expresive and emotinal.

D. Swarbrick, CCM - Manchester, Rusholme
I DO TAGS AND THINK THAT GRAFFITI IS ART AND LOOKS GOOD. GRAFFITI BRIGHTENS UP AN OLD WALL OR RAILWAY BRIDGE FROM THE VICTORIAN ERA.

Arturo Ramirez, JEB Stuart HS
I agree that graffiti is art even some don't view it as being art. But everybody always has a different point of view on what art is and should be, that is what most forget. I sometimes look at art and wonder to myself how that can be art, others think differently. If people were not getting arrested for graffiti then I doubt people would look at graffiti as a crime but as anohter part of art that is still to growing.

Donna Weatherman - Sacramento, CA
Any visual expression is Art.If the art world can foystJackson Pollock on us as art and paintings done by chimps then Graffitti is art by that standard, the only difference is getting the permission from the "canvas" owner. It is that simple.

Anonymous - Chicago, IL
Graffiti is much more than an art form, for most writers, its a way of life, a way of life that unlike most American subcultures, workplaces and even educational institutions, transcends cultural boundries. It is uncensored and raw, no intellectual boundries, religious wash, or political ideologies tell us what we can and can't display, and what is and isn't art. Who is anyone to claim what art is? This is and always should be an open-ended definition, if even defineable in any sense. If one can go to the museum of contemporary art and appreciate an arrangement of ordinary household items, and call it art; then who is anyone to disclaim that even a mere tag holds validity in the realm of the arts. When one breaks the boundries of individuality and the protection of private property; it causes the audience of this art form to be jarred or made uncomfortable, hence making people think outside the range of comfortability...

Lauren Acker, Calvin College - Grand Rapids, MI
Graffiti is definitely a form of art and some things that I see on street walls is amazing. The only problem that I see with graffiti is that more often than not it is displayed on something that isn't the artists own property. That is when the police arrest because someone is defacing someone else's property and doing so without the owners consent. That is where graffiti is wrong. I think that a harder question to ask is if doing graffiti is right. That is something to think about.

Retro_PP, Manor - UK. Northants
Graffiti in my eyes is a good thing. But if its just a quick scribble on a wall with some black spray paint saying 'someone loves someone else'
that's pathetic. But the true art is in the big, arty tags. I have seen graffiti that has made places look nice and colourful but then and again I have seen places that look terrible as a result of graffiti.

Amedeo Piechocki - Muncie, IN
is graffiti art? trying to answer this is an act of futility since there is no one definition of what art is. I believe art lies in the eye of the beholder, in an implicit awareness. If I look at the graffiti and am aware that it is a work of art, then it is. The intent of the creator is neither here nor there, the art lies in the interpretation of the viewer.

Claire, University of Canberra, Australia
Definitely graffiti is an art. No doubt about it.

Susan Kellogg - Arlington, VA
In regard to the issue of graffitti...It is certainly art when it satisfies two conditions. It is beautiful and its intention goes beyond turf marking. Graffitti seemed to emerge as an art form just as art education was cut out of school budgets. I'll bet an education researcher could plot the coincidence. Art education, if it still exists, could benefit from insights discovered by art therapists. Art teachers might realize how vulnerable children are when they make art and refrain from making value judgements about children's productions. As an art therapist I constantly hear about how their teacher told them they weren't good enough. They may have actually heard the words or merely have read that into their teacher's expression but because of their vulnerability at having revealed their feelings, they ended up with a negative view of themselves, and art. Often the response is a resolve never to draw or make themselves vulnerable again.

JM, OISE - Toronto, Canada
I think that, on the whole, graffiti is a striking form of visual communication, and as such, it is art. More often than not, graffiti boldly transforms monolithic and monotone urban environments with colourful designs. As a somewhat subversive form, it fills the void in today's world, in which art is so often ideologically transparent, predictable and propagandist. Grafitti art is, for me, seldom any of these things. I love grafitti, and will always support it.

Liz Johnson, Clarke College - Dubuque, IA
Graffiti is tricky, because in order to display it, you must deface something else, that someone else may view as art. Though I believe you can go against other art with your own, or with your words or opinions, I don't agree with tagging bridges and outdoor walls so that you feel you've "crossed a line" and can gain respect. I challenge graffiti artists to take their cans of paint and create a work on a canvas, inside their home, or somewhere other than an outdoor public structure. Is the graffiti itself art, or does it lose it's effect when placed indoors, or on a canvas?

Megan E. D'Urso, Southeast Missouri State Univ. - Cape Girardeau, MO
Of course graffiti art is a valid form of art. It is more interesting if you ask me because it has a different kind of culture behind it. Art for arts sake to the Nth power; art to defy! Art to break the rules! Art because you can and you don't care what others say or if theyll give you a big fine because its on a public wall. Artists pay taxes too, for heavens sake!

Giovanni Petruzziello - Boston, MA
I just recently got arrested for graffiti, The aresting officers treated me like someone who was selling drugs. I gave them full respect and explained to them that I wasn't trying to hurt or offend anyone. I also explained that one of the reasons why I was doing this is because the town that I lived in did nothing in supporting the arts, so this was the only way I could express my thoughts to the community. I do agree that it should remain illegal and do not deny that people should be punished for it. But the court is trying to suspend my drivers license for a year. that means I am un-employed. Some one please talk reason to these people...