- Is it Art or Vandalism

The earlier forms of graffiti styles were inscriptions and figure drawings that were found in the cave walls and ruins of ancient building. During the prehistoric times, this was a form of painting on the cave walls using animal bones and certain pigments to give the drawings some colour. These paintings mostly consisted of topics involving wildlife and hunting and were positioned in important and sacred places within the cave. This sort of graffiti styles is indeed an art form.

Graffiti is nothing but drawings or slogans that is scratched, inscribed or painted on a surface. Today it is no more a form of art but vandalism where people destruct public property by scribbling on them. This is not only illegal, but spoils the appearance of your surrounding. It also causes disturbance and insecurity among the neighbourhood due to the violent nature of this act.

Either a person is involved in graffiti or there could be a gang behind it. The graffiti styles followed by an individual could be tags which are simple one coloured moniker, or throw ups which are an extension of tag done using more than one colour, or they could be pieces which are quite elaborate in nature, detailed and complete.

Tags are usually generic or conventional graffiti which has non-threatening messages like random symbols, or initials, declaration of love, or graduating years and so on. Some people use graffiti to vent out their frustration by writing abusive language on the walls. On the other hand Gang graffiti is used to indicate gang territory. These inscriptions could be symbols or letters known to the gang members and law enforcement, like offer for drugs to potential buyers or warnings and threatening messages to their rivals.

If a person or gang involved in graffiti is caught, legal actions may be taken like imposing fines on them or on their parents or guardians if they are minors, suspending certain privileges like vehicle license, arrest or imprisonment depending on the nature of the graffiti content.

Though it may not be possible to stop graffiti entirely, it can be controlled to a great extend by educating the citizens on the vandalism caused by this and asking them to report immediately if they encounter any. As soon as a graffiti is found, remove it at the earliest, as studies show once removed, the chances of graffiti occurring in the same place is very less. Impose heavy fines and restrictions on graffiti vandalism.

In California there are laws that prevent minor teens from buying spray paints as it is the most common tool for graffiti artists. Yet it can be done using even shoe polish or etching tools or even a simple pen that is capable of leaving a permanent mark on the surface. Most graffiti inscriptions are very difficult to be removed and are permanent. They may not be removed by even repainting the surface.

The term “graffiti” was initially used by archaeologists to depict drawings and writings on ancient structures but today the very same graffiti styles generate fear in people.