As many on this website have noticed, there is a growing problem with graffiti in Idaho Falls, particularly in the downtown area. While I understand the problem, I don’t believe that sitting back and waiting for the city to fix the problem is the best way to go – we, as a community, should act.
I don’t believe that the graffiti is really the problem – it’s how ugly the artwork is! So, here is my proposed solution:
- We should white-wash over some of the more visible graffiti in town, of course after obtaining the permission of the property-owners.
- Then, we should gather some of the city’s best artists to create an “urban canvas”, creating murals and pieces of art from spray paint to replace the garbage that once was there. This would deter taggers from just spraying over the white-wash and create a unique, beautiful attraction to the downtown Idaho Falls area.
- We should make this an annual thing.
I am more than willing to organize and execute this project, but I won’t be able to do it alone. I lack any kind of substantial monetary backing (I work at a deli, people!) and I will need the willing hands, feet, and sore backs of people to help in the laborous aspects of the project. I am also in contact with a few artists already, but I will need more. I would like to get 10-15 talented people to help out. So far, I have two. I’ll keep looking, and I ask that you all do the same.
Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas!
-Jeremy Plothow
Popularity: 7%
Related posts:
Let's have a new poll, alright, Joe?
:@:)
Loading ...
{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
Well…
I have to say that, to me, this idea is naive and wrong-headed.
Don’t you want to preserve your culture and the beauty of your city?
You’ve barely started to feel the adverse cultural impact that so many other cities have suffered, and you are already jumping with enthusiasm and embracing urban decay.
Politically correct reactions and decision making in response to cultural impact, destroy what makes cites desirable.
I’m from the LA Orange County basin; and a large portion of it looks like a third world country.
This kind of thinking promotes decay.
Re-defining vandalism is a large step towards cultural suicide.
These type of murals (questionably artistic graffiti)are more offensive than having to listen to someone else’s loud so-called music, or breathing their cigarette or cigar smoke while you are trying to enjoy a nice dinner out; because they degrade the experience of the whole community.
Respect for others is a sign of civilized society.
Writing, painting all over, and defacing a city with your own tastes in regard to “art”, is not an example of respect for others.
It is only a demonstration of a self-serving love of ones self, at the expense of others.
I’m moving to Idaho Falls because I like it the way it is.
You should move to LA, NY, or San Francisco.
Then we’ll both be happy.
Or..take another look at your beautiful city.
In my view, it would be far better to concentrate on maintaining the unique charm of Idaho Falls, than to have it follow the path of other, less desirable cities.
Well…that’s my two cents…:)
Dave
The idea is not to create a “hip-hop” Idaho Falls, it’s to replace filth with art. First, we will be getting the permission of all of the property owners, or this project will be cancelled. Second, I am recruiting the area’s best artists, so we will not be replacing tags with tags, but grafitti with art. Second, Culture evolves, it doesn’t decay. Incorporating the views of the youth into the mainstream of Idaho Falls will not diminish the charm of the area – it will complement it!
Just because something doesn’t reflect your own idea of culture doesn’t make it any less valid or desirable. I think if this thing happens, you may find yourself pleased with the result.
I would be interested to hear your take on the “art” featured around downtown in the form of park benches. They serve to beautify the area as well as act as a reflection of the people that make up society around here. That’s exactly what Urban Canvas will be doing.
All this will accomplish, is to replace one type of graffiti with another.
It is not a new or original idea.
Taggers and gangs want to mark up the city with their “art” identity,
similar to a dog marking his confiscated territory.
The “artists” who will eagerly join your “urban canvass” are no different. They are opportunists who care for their “art” and themselves more than for the city.
The usual people who facilitate the making of this type of wound on the city, are those liberal politicos who wish to ingratiate themselves to an immigrant community; thinking with “politically correct” unsound logic, that it will have the effect of making the immigrants feel ownership in the community.
Before the citizens realize what happened, someone like you will have totally changed the feel of their city, without their consent.
Since their is no large immigrant population, or cultural impact occurring to justify this “canvass”; I wonder at your motivations, and at your brass.
As this will radically change the city environment, it should not be left up to you and a few other “organizers”.
It should be put to the voters.
The logical response of providing work for some citizens, to paint over the graffiti and restore the property to it’s original condition, as well as prosecuting the vandals, would be much more appreciated by the community at large, in the long run.
All though, it wouldn’t polish the pride of a few, in the short term.
My response to your proposed project comes from my reaction to what has been painted all over L.A.
Appreciation of Art is something that has a transitory property having to do with the spontaneous nature of where our heads are at, at the moment…like music.
Most people don’t enjoy listening to the same song constantly.
Art galleries change their exhibits.
The experience of Community is different from the experience of art or music.
That’s why taggers and gang sign markers are seen to be a blight on the community.
What you propose, is, to me, a blight on the senses of those in the community.
It sticks the experience in concrete, as if everyone was forced to wear the same 50’s hair cut, and roll their cigeretts in their t-shirt sleeves.
It kills the spontaneity of the experience of life and generates extreme boredom and dissatisfaction.
LA sucks, in part because of these murals.
Well..I guess that makes my four cents worth…;)
Dave
Don’t be discouraged by the naysayers. I agree that the graffiti has got to go. It’s awful and I don’t consider it to be part of the “unique charm” of our city. I personally didn’t have an idea for how to get rid of the graffiti and so I appreciate your suggestion. Maybe those folks who don’t like your suggestion should darn well come up with one of their own instead of just standing around criticizing other people’s ideas! I can hardly believe someone moved all the way from LA because they didn’t like murals. Did that really happen?
Remember that kid in Singapore who got caned for spray painting a car? Maybe we should institute a local law that puts some teeth into the penalties for the graffiti. Bet that kid in Singapore never did anything like that again!!
Dave — any chance we could get you to move BACK to LA? Nothing personal — just to damn many of you moving to Idaho. What screwed up California? The answer: Californians. Now you are all moving here. Do the math. On the subject of the garffiti — Jeremy — your idea won’t work. Dave is right for the most part. Your artists will just give me a different flavor to look at. And this flavor takes much more time and effort to put up — and you can bet that it will just be covered up again by vandals. A waste of time to accomplish nothing. The solution. Deal with it. Make a community effort to get it cleaned up or painted over quickly. Pass TOUGH city laws to deal with violators. Do something to catch people in the act — heighten the community awareneass — make police do this as a priority. Have the offenders that are caught spend a few months washing and repainting walls. and just keep dealing with it.
Does anyone remember the Singapore incident where the teenage American boy got caned for spray painting on a car? Makes you wonder what would happen to our criminal element if we toughened up a little bit. The problem is that mandatory sentencing doesn’t allow judges to take the individual case into consideration. Some kids need to be caned and others just need to spend a few weeks washing walls. Either way, a community movement is always a fun thing to attend and I’d have no problem volunteering my time to assist. Events like those are heartwarming and inspiring. Besides, it’s a great place to make friends and inspire a little community spirit. You’ve got the right idea Jeremy. Don’t let the naysayers get you down. And for those of you who do nothing but naysay, try putting in a suggestion or two of your own instead of just criticizing someone else’s ideas. It makes for better discussion.
I believe that if it is business hours — (daylight) and Monday thru Fri — and you see graffit — and there is NOT a guy in an aorange jump suit painting over it — with a big uniformed correctional officer standing behind him — we are not heading in the righ direction. Outside the County jail you have this mess. Inside the jail you have 100 lazy crank addicts watching MTV. There my friends is the answer. And Dave — I am sorry — I do feel that way but you didn’t deserve that, so I apologize. Welocme to Idaho. Just help us keep the secret — thats all we ask…
I have contacted several businesses in my neighborhood and have permission to white out graffiti. A few gallons of high hide white goes a loooong way. One thing that I have seen in Cities that I have lived in is a designated graffiti wall, somewhere visible but ugly in the first place. The good artists get together all of the time and at least once every couple of months have a contest. It elevates the art, in my oppinion. Tags and other graffiti should be covered as quickly as possible (not annually): within 72 hours, at least to discourage repercussions and/ or make your walls a less inviting target.
Support the art, fight the tagz. This town is not wannabe gangster turf. Let plain paint be the tagback.
Good for you Archy, that’s awesome initiative and the PR or local news should report on your efforts, a picture over graffiti would be great and the story would spotlight our continuing graffiti problems in IF.
Whatever happened to that graffiti cleaner the the city was ordering months ago? Was it on the to-do list below ‘apply in time for sunnyside expansion funds’?
(ouch, even I know that was a low blow, but really what the heck?!?)
I’m not art overing, just plain paint overing – you would be surprised at how receptive businesses are to offering. It is something that a given owner hardly notices for all too long, then has to find someone to blast or paint or scrub, who gets that done on their own timeline… The real expense is to the neighborhood that gets claimed and stays that way. I’m not out for the PR, just don’t want the gangsters to succeed.
I think your gallery idea a while back was keen. Spotlight the graffiti, and challenge the neighbors to at least paint over it. I’d care much less about a bunch of white band aids than the ugly wounds.
Paint stores sell mis-mixes for cheap, cheap, cheap, too. Maybe someone in a given area could just keep some simples (5 gals. and a couple of dollar store rollers) handy for anyone’s use. And maybe just maybe the paint stores would donate!
I have had great success whiting out in my neighborhood, and find the work much more satisfying than Sitting on the phone waiting for a non existent graffiti department or sitting through city hall meetings to mention the problem.
It strikes quite a blow for someone’s big work to get slopped over before they get to show it off. heh heh.
Take care of your ‘hood and it will take care of you.
“close minded Idahoans”….are you kidding me?? Have YOU ever heard of an easel and some art paper? Gimmie a break! You want to expand you mind and practice your artwork, there are plenty of other ways to do it! If I catch you out there taggin my fence or my property, there will be reprocussions.
There is a world of difference between an artistic scene painted after securing owner permission and gang signs. If you cannot recognize the difference then you might want to research how you use that phrase “close minded”.
No….seems like you need to grow up and learn that most businesses don’t want “artwork” on their buildings. Trying using some canvas, then contacting your local schools, city councilman and/or local museums and having them set up a time to display your work. They have festivals all the time where you can take the artwork you’ve done and display it for the public to see. Heck, I know of a couple people that have their own websites set up with artwork they’ve done. You want to be an “artist” that’s great, but pick a better medium than the side of somebodies building.
You might have heard of the great artist Salvador Dali. He’s got paintings that are 2 & 3 stories high….ON CANVAS! I know this because I’ve been to his museum in St.Petersburg FL. Why don’t YOU do some research and learn that you don’t have to paint on somebody’s wall in order to get “recognized”.
The Taggers
Taggers are generally none violent artistic individuals. Tagger graffiti is generally more intricate and more “artistic” than the graffiti a street gang would do. The lettering may be entwined and turned upside down or sideways to the point of looking more like a maze than letters. The graffiti that they paint on walls usually is done in several colors and might include caricatures of animals or humans. Taggers would call this type of graffiti a “piece,” presumably short for “masterpiece.” This kind of piece is usually designed ahead of time, and may have been sketched out in a notebook beforehand. Several underground magazines and newsletters publish tagger pieces. A world-wide network exists to keep taggers in touch with each other. Many taggers believe what they are doing is street art and is not a crime.
Another activity taggers are involved in is “tagging,” or putting their “tag” in as many places as they can. Taggers engage in contests with other groups, trying to outdo each other in terms of the number of “tags” put up, the difficulty of the artwork, or the difficulty of the location of the tag.
Taggers gain visible recognition from their writing on walls. The more visible a wall is, the more desirable it is to taggers. Freeway overpass signs, water towers, and billboards can quickly build a tagger’s reputation. They call it “tagging the heavens.”
One method that taggers have used to tag multiple-story buildings is to tie ropes to the wheels of skateboards and have friends lower the tagger down the side of the building. To tag freeway overpasses, they have their friends hold them upside down by their feet.
Taggers will sometimes use sticky-backed labels (like the name tags that are often handed out at training seminars). The tagger will write his moniker on 10 to 20 labels and then as he walks through an area he’ll just peel off the backing and put the label on any surface he passes.
Taggers are generally none violent artistic individuals. Tagger graffiti is generally more intricate and more “artistic” than the graffiti a street gang would do. The lettering may be entwined and turned upside down or sideways to the point of looking more like a maze than letters. The graffiti that they paint on walls usually is done in several colors and might include caricatures of animals or humans. Taggers would call this type of graffiti a “piece,” presumably short for “masterpiece.” This kind of piece is usually designed ahead of time, and may have been sketched out in a notebook beforehand. Several underground magazines and newsletters publish tagger pieces. A world-wide network exists to keep taggers in touch with each other. Many taggers believe what they are doing is street art and is not a crime.
I do not recall these artists stating that they wanted to paint on the walls of any businesses. I believe it is their goal to keep that from occuring by having a specific wall or canvas area displayed where they can express themselves through their artwork. Graffiti is “ART” – just like the benches downtown or the statues in front of the library. Why is it OK to display that “ART” but not “GRAFFITI ART”. Graffiti is an art form – a creative expression. Graffiti artists are very artistic individuals. Their art is intricate and more “artistic” than the graffiti a street gang would do. Street gangs use graffiti to mark areas they frequent and to issue threats to their enemies – not as an art form or creative expression. Why not be open minded about all art forms and give these people an opportunity to show us their talents.
Hey waht happened to all of Dakota’s comments?
Our spam karma script did a ‘retroactive spanking’ of Dakota’s comments, it happens sometimes to new commenters that post a lot of comments in a certain time frame. I have restored them.
We all know the definion of a tagger, but thanks for cuttin & pasting your research on it. Sweet of you. The fact of the matter is, it’s illegal and there are other ways to get your artwork noticed. Sure there’s a network of “taggers”….there’s also a network of “pedophiles” and “meth-heads”, “mormon extremists”, “poligymsts” etc. etc… Doesn’t make it right to paint your “artwork” on every wall and overpass you see. Get some canvas….they come in all shapes in sizes….and become a real artist. Instead of some punk with a spraycan in the middle of the night.
Glad to know you have done some research also! We must google the same websites!
Like I said………I do not recall these artists stating that they wanted to paint on the walls of any businesses or destroy anyones personal property. It is their goal to keep that from occuring by having a specific “legal” wall or canvas area displayed where they can express themselves through their artwork. Again……Graffiti is “ART” – just like the benches downtown or the statues in front of the library. Why is it OK to display that “ART” but not “GRAFFITI ART”. Be open minded about all types of art and give these people an opportunity to show us their talents. Graffiti IS an art form – so treat it as such!
Can you say ……… DISCRIMINATION?? I say ……. Display all or display none!
Pick up a can of paint and try and write your name like these artists do and then tell me wether or not what these kids are doing should be considerd art..And your right it is illegal, so why not support building a legal wall to help keep it off the streets. And there is a network of taggers and a network of pedophiles and a network of methheads ect. ect. and for some reason you seem to think what these so called “punk kids” are doing is what we should be spending our tax payers dollars trying to stop. Artists are not real criminals, murders and rapist are real criminals.
I only wish these kids made half the effort in school as they do to tag buildings…..
Idaho Falls needs more art. A LOT more art and color to make up for all the ugly brown houses being built here.
I say TJM should take out an ad in the Post Register and put up fliers around town allowing all the taggers to come spray paint his house and car and see if it is considered art after the “artists” are done making their mark.
For your information, Most of these “taggers” you are refering to gradutate from the highest ranked art schools. Wether or not any of you agree with this does not matter to me, I am going to push until it happens, I know I already the support of some of the Blackfoot Police Department. Along with an online petition started about 2 days and its already 40 signatures strong… I dont understand the logic in spending tons of money trying to cover it when all you have to do is make a legal place for these kids to do it. I mean sure it wont completely erase street art, but I will definently make an impact. Im not saying that these “taggers” should’nt be punished for vandalizing business, fences, street signs, ect…but when they have no where to express this street culture where do they turn…There are professional street artis’s making over six figures for one peice of there street art, wich I assume is more than anyone on this chat makes. (Banksy, Look him up.) Mark Ecko a fashion designer did a graffiti arts festivl in NYC Mayor bloomberg revoked eckos liscense for the event shortly after, but his efforts fell short. This is a caption from an artical about the event…”Contrary to the fears of some city officials, by dusk, the event hadn’t gotten out of hand, and there were no renegade amateur graffiti artists tagging up the streets, which should soothe the mind of Mayor Michael Bloomberg who had earlier revoked Ecko’s permit to hold the event. The mayor said the event would encourage illegal graffiti in New York, to which a U.S. District Judge responded: “By the same token, presumably, a street performance of ‘Hamlet’ would be tantamount to encouraging revenge murder.”
How about letting all the “graffiti artists” display their talent on old warehouse buildings like the ones down by the railroad tracks or the backsides of the ones on West River Road? But the only problem I see with this is that you are only going to get a few to use authorized areas. The vandals are going to do it where it is a real eyesore. I don’t care what anyone says, the graffiti that was sprayed under the John Hole’s Bridge was not art. It was just plain old graffiti.
I’ve often wondered why the inmates at the Bonneville County Jail aren’t out cleaning up these areas. Why should we have to hire or buy equipment to clean up someone’s mess? Maybe they do, I’m not sure who cleans it up. I always figured it was the Parks and Recreation Department. Quite often I see work details cleaning up roadsides (which needs to be done), but they could paint over the graffiti around town too. I’m sure they have a lot of idle hours when they are doing their sentences.
Mike –
I said this before…………I do not recall these artists stating that they wanted to paint on the walls of any businesses or destroy anyones personal property. It is their goal to keep that from occuring by having a specific “legal” wall or canvas area displayed where they can express themselves through their artwork.
They are asking for approval to legally display their art form. Why not give them an opportunity to do so.
Instead of asserting rights to paint art on other folks’ property, why not pay them for the right to use their wall? Sure it would be nice if some of these abandoned building owners gave graffiti artists the opportunity to paint a pretty picture, but it is their private property and so are not compelled to do so.
Real artists factor in production costs when designing a piece. If these graffiti artists are real artists, they would make a financial offer to building owners for the use of their wall.
You have to remember that the building owner may sell or get a tenant someday, and they will likely paint over the “art”. Offer them a couple hundred bucks to be able to paint an outside wall, so the owner’s cost of repainting it later is covered.
You might find building owners more agreeable to this “art form” if you act like a real artist.
Dakota: don’t presume to think that you know one way or another what people on this site do or don’t make for living. Whether it be 30k a year or 200k shouldn’t be an issue in any of the discussions on this site. Just because you’re a young kid who likes to play with spray paint and aren’t making 6 figures yourself, doesn’t mean some of us on this site are in your same position. Personally, I know of 3 people that frequent this site that make over 6 figures a year. But that’s neither here nor there and bringing it up the way you did, only shows your true age.
Regardless…..I don’t see it going anywhere personally, but good luck with your petition. And why not give us the link to this online petition so we can check it for ourselves?
Thanks
40 signatures….someone’s really setting the world on fire there.
I’d have to agree with the statement left by our host that said “you might find building owners more agreeable to this “art form”, if you acted more like a real artist”.
Well said.
I know a guy (not personally) that does these paintings with spray paint. Absolutely incredible paintings of space, planets, sci-fi stuff. He uses regular white poster board or canvas with 5 different colors of spray paint, some old coffee cans, and a 12 in piece of wood. The stuff he creates is incredible. He goes around the country to art fairs, festivals, flea markets, etc and makes a killing selling his work. It only takes him 5-15 minutes to complete a painting. I bought a piece from him a couple years ago and everyone that sees it is just amazed at the detail.
The point is, he doesn’t feel the need to mark up peoples walls or bridge overpasses, fences, business’s etc. He’s an artist using spray paint that does very well for himself but is quite happy using plain posterboard and/or canvas.
The moral of the story is….there are numerous way of getting noticed without resorting to a wall being built somewhere, whether it be a public park, commercial bldg or what have you, just so people can go spray paint it. Use your imagination and and you’ll be a lot better off.
Those of you who are dogging on these artist are way out in left field. Graffiti is an art form and these people are very talented artists. Don’t be so closed minded. Why insult and antagonize them by telling them that they are not “real artists”. Does this make you feel better about yourself?
Homeslice…Maybe you should grow up a little yourself. Pointing out my age compared to everyone on here, is just as immature and chilidish as bringing up wealth. Besides, I was trying to make a point, you guys saying it is not art is a bit ridiculous to me when banksy sells one painting for 6 figures..It is illegal in parts of europe to paint over banksy peices…but hes not a real artist cause he does it in the street??? Give these kids some credit, graffiti is a street art, thats where it began, and it will always live on there, no matter how hard you try to stop it. A legal wall will just encourage taking it off illegal personal property, thats what you all wanted right?
You obviously don’t get it Dakota….forget homeslice’s comment and answer mine on 33. As well as chickenhawk’s post 15. The problem is, you don’t want to listen to others options, you want to paint on the streets and you won’t have it any other way. I’ve left you a number of options so let me try to spell it out for you a little better. How big is this wall supposed to be that you want and who is supposed to pay for it? For arguments sake, lets say it gets built and lets say it’s 6ft high by 50ft long. (which MOST IdahoFall residents will think is an eyesore, but stick with me here) IF the city were to build you this wall, I don’t see it being much larger than that. At least not on anything other than private property. THEN…as you and I both know…most grafitti “artists” are gang members. Ok, so now we’ve got rival gang members all trying to tag the same wall and outdo each other. It won’t be long before a few gang members run into each other to tag the wall at the same time, then we’ve got a stabbing or a shooting. Oh but wait….this is a GREAT idea!! Ok, so then what happens once the wall is covered in grafitti and there’s nowhere else for these “artists” to put their “art-work”?? Hmmmm….now we’ve got rival gang members spraying OVER someone elses “art-work”. That in turn will cause more unheavel among the gangs, causing more stabbings, more shootings and more money coming out of MY tax paying dollars to house these criminals in our county jail.
Listen, get over this Bansky fellow already. He’s one grafitti artist that made a name for himself in another country. It’s not going to happen in this town or in LA for that matter. So find an alternate means of expessing your artwork. Many options have been suggested to you above, you just don’t want to listen to them because you’d rather be out there tagging a wall somewhere.
You dont seem to get it…MOST graffiti artists are NOT gang members. And plenty of graffiti artists have made a huge name for themselves, just because you are all to blind to admit that these kids have talent doesnt mean the rest of the world is. The wall could be built from donations from people who support the idea. You speak of all these gang members, its Idaho Falls, what gangs do we have here, theres no bloods or crips or eastsiders or westsiders, other than the few gangster wannabe’s running around town, spray painting neighborhood fences. These are the ones you all hate. Why couldnt the wall be monitored, to keep these things that you seem to think will happen from happening, look at all the options I gave you and quit being close minded. The police could even monitor the wall to watch and make sure they arnt seeing the same paintings on the wall as they are the streets, and if so appreheand the person or persons doing so… As I said before, its not going to eliminate all street art, but it will definently make a difference…
p.s. If you would like to open up a little and check out some of these world famous artists, try and google….SEEN, KLOR, COPE2, BANKSY, DAIM, KET, etc. ect. ect.
where’s this online petition? I’d really like to check it out.
page can’t be found….on either one.
Ok….one last time…www.ipetitions.com/petition/Idahofallsarts
cute
good luck
Thank you very much!
I don’t see how Dakota can say most aren’t gang members. Most of the grafitti I see around town is gang related. And I have yet to see ANY grafitti around Idaho Falls that is pleasing to the eye, or could even be called “art”. Sure, art is in the eye of the beholder, but all the crap I see around town is just a plain eyesore. I sure as heck wouldn’t want a whole wall of it. NOR am I willing to pay my tax dollars to have someone “monitor” it for gang activity. We don’t have enough officers to deal with the problems we have now, let alone monitoring a new wall.
Like others have noted, use canvas or make a fence or wall in your own back yard.
ok, dont support it, you win…Instead of trying to get one built ill just use yours…
Ok, maybe I wont, but I am still going to push to get this done and I will continue to ask for help and support from as many people as I can, of course it is an eyesore now, but its just like any other form of art, development, practice, dedication. Without somewhere for people to develop these skills it will continue to be an eyesore, while all you naysayers hate on this idea and sit at home and complain about it, I will be out doing something to help my community…Instead of pretending I care.
p.s. youll waste your taxpayers dollars on wars we dont need to be in and on tax forces to clean up graffiti, but not to help give some kids a place to paint. I see the logic in that, its all clear to me now. How many police we have shouldnt affect anything, the ones you want to pay to go out and bust these artists could be monitoring the wall instead, doing something productive for once…Or maybe out catching real criminals like drunk drivers or rapists??? Good argument though.
If you want to paint, get some art supplies from Mommy & Daddy and paint. Nobody is stopping you. Just don’t do it on our city streets, that’s all people are saying. Geez…don’t throw a tantrum!
Im not throwing a tantrum at all, I am allowed to express my point of view just like the rest of you, if you dont have something worth saying then please just keep your comments to yourself, I am pretty sure I have pointed out more pros to this topic then any of you have cons. My argument is for a legal wall, not an argument about wanting to go paint your city streets….Alright let me explain it this way….Forget there was ever graffiti on the city walls, if I proposed the Idea of letting kids spray paint a mural on a legal wall, you all would act alot different about the whole thing…As I said before Im not trying to get you to let me paint your city walls, but give us some place to do it…and display it…
What do all of you naysayers consider art? Open your mind to all art forms – not just the ones that you personally like. Everyone has their own tastes and if it is OK to display one art form in the city – why is it not OK to display this one?
Are statements such as “Ashley is a narc” spray painted on buildings considered art or a threat?
Dakota has a right to try and get public funding for a graffiti wall. Doesn’t mean we all have to agree. We can oppose it if we wish.
Personally, I don’t want city tax dollars paying for a graffiti wall. We have other projects with more priority. Private fund raising would be the better way to go on this one.
I agree with Cuervo in post 44. I have yet to see any graffiti around town that could be considered “art”. Graffiti around town is done by gang affiliated persons that think they can deface property and debase other groups and persons through tagging efforts. Obviously, this is total disrespect for private property and narcisism at work in the mind of the so called artists. Tagging seems to be the poor mans way to conduct art. Buying canvas and oil paints costs too much. Try getting them hung in the museum. No dice.
I will end on a positive note for Dakota: contact the IF Arts Council and Eagle Rock Art Museum. Maybe they would be willing to hold a symposium for willing graffiti artists to express themselves.
There you go, that could be a neat alternative arts event for Idaho Falls. Local business owners might view the whole thing as more legitimate if the IF Arts Council backed it.
And Mike makes a good observation that most of the stuff we see around here is more gang signs than real art. I have also seen graffiti art, and there is a clear difference between artful scenes and plain words. I have rarely seen any artistic pictures in local graffiti.
Anyone recall The Apprentice episode a few years ago when the two teams had to do big graffiti-style art on New York City buildings to promote the sony playstation 2?
I have already contacted the arts council and carrie getty the arts director there thinks it sounds like a great idea. And your right, most of the graffiti on walls around town are gang related. Thats because REAL graffiti ARTISTS have more respect than that…REAL ARTISTS wouldnt paint Ashley is a narc on a wall….
Thank you mike, for some good suggestions even though you disagree with the Idea…
I truly hope to see this type of event happen. It has many good possibilities, one of which is to turn a complaint into a positive community event.
Thanks Joe,
Me too..I have been trying to say this whole time we are both trying to achive the same thing. You all want it off the streets and so do I. So why not provide an alternative.
Tell me Dakota….WHERE do you currently practice your so called grafitti art? Around town, or in your own backyard? If you can afford to buy cans of spray paint, surely you can afford to buy some posterboard or art paper to practice on? Like others have stated, I have never seen any “art” in grafitti (around Idaho Falls), it’s all words, gang signs etc. Nobody has painted any murals, pictures or whatnot anywhere in this town that I have seen. And I too have seen graffiti “art”, so I know the difference. So do tell….where exactly are you practicing your craft?
As of now I practice on paper, I have no where else to practice and unlike some of you may believe I have more respect than to vandalize. I love the art and would love to learn it with an actual can, the whole idea of someone being able to do that with a can of paint amazes me. I am shortly moving into my new house and plan to make a place there where I can practice, but I would like to see a place for other people interested in this art.
Here’s a tip for you Dakota…
Forget the cans of spray paint. Get yourself a decent airbrush kit and learn that way. It’s basically the same thing, but you’ve got much more control and you have much more freedom to work on different surfaces. My brother has his own body shop and has been doing airbrush work for over 25 years. The artwork that comes from airbrushing is much more detailed than what you’ll get from your average spray can grafitti artist. Plus there’s big money to be made if you’re good with an airbrush. Much more so than your average “grafitti artist”. You can pick up a very decent airbrush that’ll last you years for around 150. Plus you won’t have the “stigma” that surrounds graffiti hanging over your head. Good luck.
I do brush paint, but why limit myself to one form of art when I can try and learn them all. I have more ambition than that. I also airbrush..I plan to start classes at the Art Institute of either california, seattle, or am considering online classes to become a graphic designer. When it comes to art I want to know all varieties of mediums and surfaces..
i REALLy THiNK tHAT THiSz iSz A qO0d iDEA. AFtER ALl, tHE HiSPNAiC pOPULAtiON iSz qROWiNG iN iDAHO fALLSz… i bELiVE tHAT iF THiSz WUSz dONE, THiSz WOULd PREVENt OtHER GRAfFiTTi tO BE dRAWN ON… i fEEL LiKE ALlOt Of THE HiSPANiC COMMUNTiy WiLl ACtUALly bE pROUd OF THiSz tHEMSELVESz….
I think your keyboard is broken.
Yeah, I didn’t even want to bother touching that one. Kids will be kids.