Vandalism or Art? : Article produced by
the Daily Lobo
Vandalism or Art?
*Stencilists say graffiti is self-expression; University calls it a
costly nuisance
By Marcella Ortega
New Mexico Daily Lobo, July
6-12 2006
On sidewalks,
bus stops and newspaper dispensers, a new form of graffiti is appearing
all around campus.It is called stencil graffiti. Stencilists create
their designs in the form of a stencil, which they use to filter spray-painted
images onto their surface of choice. They make stencils out of cardboard,
metal or anything else that will allow a cutout.Stenciling, which has
blown up in Melbourn, Australia – now known as the stencil capital
of the world – has been appearing around campus more frequently
in the past few months.
Joel Straquadine, facilities manager for the Physical
Plant, said the University spends around $50,000 every year cleaning
graffiti.
He said about two-thirds is spend on labor and the other third is spent
on material, which includes paint, glass, solvents and cleaner.
Sidewalk chalking is protected as a right for anyone who chooses to
present their ideas in that form, according to the University Business
Policies and Procedures Manual. “They wanted to give them somewhere
to express their thoughts,” Straquadine said. “It’s
something that’s easily removable.”
However, the policy forbids anything that is destructive
or materially damaging to University property.
“If they paint, it is there forever,” Straquadine said.
“That is graffiti, and we remove it.” What University policy
considers material damage is seen as an art form to Noah, a local stencilist
who refused to give his last name for fear of self-incrimination. He
has practiced stencil graffiti for two years. “Anyone can do them
and express their own individuality through them,” he said
Noah and his friend Justin, who also refused to give
his last name, became interested in stencil graffiti when they lived
next door to an experienced stencilist.“It’s how any artists
is inspired,” Noah said. “You see what other people are
doing and think, ‘I can do that different.”Justin said practicing
stencil graffiti is simple. All it takes is a piece of cardboard and
a can of spray paint. “Once you have the stencil, you can reproduce
over and over again,” he said. “The most complex (stencils)
I’ve made have three colors.” Some of Justin’s works
include a hand making a peace sign and Richard Nixon in his famous trademark
salute with his arms stretched out making peace signs.“The peace
sign I made for obvious reasons,” he said. “That’s
how I feel.” One of Justin’s most complex works is a picture
of Elvis Costello. “I’m all about music,” he said.
“You look at it, at it’s like, ‘rock ‘n’
roll.’ It’s better than putting a guy standing there with
a gun.”
Noah said one of his favorite works is a gonzo fist –
Hunter S. Thompson’s symbol when he was running for sheriff of
Pitkin County, Colorado. “I admire him,” Noah said, “He
would do whatever he wanted to regardless of what people thought about
him.”
Although the two view stencil graffiti as a way of expressing themselves,
they are aware of the negative aspects involved in working with it.
Justin said some stencilists have to carry weapons when they are painting
in rival neighborhoods. “I haven’t,” he said. “But
I don’t go out there.” Justin said conflict arises when
people change the stencils. “If someone covers it, a lot of people
take offense,” he said. “All we are are artists. Violence
shouldn’t be around art. They don’t mix.”
Justin said he is not concerned that he is committing
vandalism. “It sucks,” Justin said. “but it’s
not like it’s my sidewalk.”
Although Noah and Justin view their work as an art form, Joyce Szabo,
associate chairwoman and professor of art and art history said she sees
stencil graffiti as vandalism. “If it was their own home or a
canvas, then that would be art, she said. “People get hired to
paint murals. It is well known around the world.” Szabo said the
force required to clean and repair surfaces ends up costing time and
money, which ultimately translates into student tuition increases further
down the line. “This is not their property to deface,” she
said. “I don’t care how good it looks.”
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