Art or crime?

Take a look at this picture:

by Borondo, in India

What about this one?

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I'm sure you've seen a lot of these as well:

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We all know graffiti, but is it art or crime?

Some people say that graffitis damage the visual impression of the buildings in which they're painted. It is considered a crime because it modifies private (or public) walls without any permission (not all of them, though).

On the other hand, there are people who think that graffitis are another way of art. This is actually what I think, and now I'll try to explain why.

For me, graffitis can revitalize the city (or anywhere really) with art, using new shape and color. As any kind of art, it's a way of expression that can give many different stories to the boring walls that we see everyday. Graffiti is not only a diversion for some people, it is also used as a way to vindicate and call society out.

An example of this vindicative art is the work of Banksy, an artist that has become famous around the world for his urban art pieces with deep and meaningful meaning against society. Here I'll show you some examples:

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He has made a huge impression with these paintings around the world, and has won recognition as the artist he is. Last year he was able to open an art project by the name of Dismaland, located in Sommerset and mocking the amusement park of Disneyland, though it is anything but amusing. He wanted to do the same that he does with his art: open your eyes to how our society is.

Additionally, a lot of graffitis are stunningly beautiful and some of them could be considered masterpieces. One way or another, it's art, just like any painting that you'll see in a gallery for an insane fee. This kind of art is totally free. It's made by the people and for the people, with a wish to express.

One thing that really impressed me about graffitis was the remainings of the Berlin Wall. During our 4th ESO trip, we visited the monument and it was all decorated with artsy graffitis  that I loved. Here I have some of the pictures I took:

Well, I know that these are not the typical type of graffiti. On the other hand, I know that many street art pieces have a lot of street and very little bit of art. But just the fact that some artists aren't really good doesn't mean that graffitis should be banned! That would be like saying that no one should have been able to paint if their art didn't look like Leonardo's, Van Gogh's or Turner's.

So if you are an artist in need of inspiration remember that the street can also be your canvas!