GRAFFITI ART OR VANDALISM ?

Posted on April 11, 2016 in Cleaning

Graffiti art or Vandalism……Is it art? A question sometimes said and heard in museums, galleries, movie theatres, concert arenas, any place of creation. One such place is also the street, where the spectators often seem to wonder: “Is graffiti art or vandalism ?” If we take into consideration that graffiti have been around since prehistoric times, it sounds as if this debate is all too hoary; however, we shall look at graffiti as the phenomenon of a much more recent period, and in that context, the debate is only about fifty years old.

To understand graffiti, we shall observe it as a form of street art which usually involves tagging, but also the creation of more complex paintings. From its earliest days, it was done outside the law, with writers taking big risks when making their works, this sometimes leading to their arrests. The excitement of being a renegade and the fear of getting caught is what many artists consider the very core of graffiti culture, especially during the days of rough, growing competition and the willing to become as good at drawing as you possibly could. When caught in act, however, the writers get charged with vandalism, fined, and given community service hours during which they help clean up graffiti. By definition, it is “an action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property”, and while we can’t argue that graffiti (mostly tags, considered a reductive form of art within graffiti community itself) often end up on someone’s walls, we do have to wonder if it really is “destruction” and if, perhaps, we’ve been asking the wrong question the whole time.

Is Graffiti Still Vandalism If It’s… Legal?

Graffiti art or vandalism! Let’s put it like this – someone painted over your house and, of course, you’re not too happy about it. No one has the right to do that without your permission and, without even looking at it, you can pronounce it vandalism. But would you feel the same way if you saw a really breath-taking piece of graffiti art on an otherwise dull wall in the city? The authorities wouldn’t care if it was a drawing in the range of a Picasso – if it’s painted on an owned property, it’s an act of vandals. So, does that mean that graffiti is art if it’s done legally? Or on a property, but with permission? That would surely explain the immense success it had within museum and gallery walls worldwide, with artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey having important exhibitions and making serious money from making their artworks. If created on canvas and placed on a wall at, say, Tate Modern, graffiti becomes respectable form of art. Street art, in general, is a highly polarising matter, where contradictions create and depend upon themselves, yet what’s sure is that it’s called “street” art for a reason, and its public existence is still crucial for its spirit.

If graffiti’s only problem is the location, why not think about a universal solution? What if its purpose of being the voice of the young and the vibrant ornament of grey urban architecture became all that matters? Today, there are many urban art festivals around the world, created to promote street art everywhere and to encourage young creatives to pursue their dreams. Many of them are city-funded as well, with a scope of beautifying the environment with some extraordinary artworks. Even big corporations such as Red Bull, Adidas or 55DSL engaged graffiti talents in their advertising campaigns, over and over again.

Graffiti art or vandalism? Protech Property Solutions acknowledge that there are some breath-taking piece’s of graffiti art however we also acknowledge how damaging graffiti can be to a business or to your home, and the best way to deal with unwanted graffiti is quickly, effectively and as urgently as possible.

Our fully trained graffiti technicians will complete a detailed site survey and recommend the most suitable removal system. They are familiar with the different types of methods required to remove graffiti and are able to decide specifically which one would solve your problem the best and most efficient way.

We have a wide range of specially formulated gels and solvent based products which are used within various combination and processes to remove virtually all types of graffiti without leaving any damage to surfaces and the environment.

The system we use here at Protech is a unique system that not only removes graffiti to a very high standard but is also:-

• 100% Environmentally friendly
• Leaves no damage to surfaces.
• Does not have to rely on high pressure jet washers.
• Is safe to use on buildings and statues of importance and historic interest.
• 100% Effective guaranteed.

Rapid Response Graffiti Removal | Anti sociable graffiti removed fast

Racist or abusive graffiti can damage business and have a devastating affect on people personally. The best way to deal with racist graffiti or abusive, vulgar graffiti is quickly and effectively. We will prioritise any racist or abusive graffiti and will respond as a matter of urgency. Do not settle for this type of graffiti. Have us remove it immediately and be rid of it now. We also respond fast to high priority moving targets have your fleet on the road advertising your products NOT graffiti. We respond to this type of graffiti within 24 hours where possible.

Vehicle Graffiti Removal | Graffiti cleaned from cars/trucks without damage to paintwork

Paint on vehicles provides a different kind of challenge. Paintwork on cars is suitable to the usual ways of cleaning graffiti and therefore in the past have required expensive resprays. We remove all graffiti from motor vehicles without the need of expensive resprays. Our Sensitive Surface graffiti remover is designed to remove graffiti from all sensitive surfaces without damage.

Heritage Building and Monument Graffiti Removal | Delicate surfaces require specialist graffiti cleaning

We are able remove all types of graffiti from Heritage buildings and Monuments without damage and leaving no ghosting or shadows. The fact that we don’t use high pressures or abrasives means that we can clean old stonework without causing damage. This is the only graffiti removal system that is authorised for use on the World Heritage sandstone that makes up central Edinburgh.

What do you think? is graffiti art or vandalism…. we would love to hear from you wecare@protechpropertysolutions.co.uk.

If you have a graffiti problem and require assistance please call 0845 604 188 or visit Protech Graffiti Solutions for information on our graffiti services.