Is shaming graffiti artists in Asheville the way to deter them?

7 Comments

1. 

   Even Karma March 24, 2009

   Graffiti vandals alter the appearance of what does not belong to them. The result can be judged by them or others as an improvement or a detriment, but, invariably, the property owner, and thus, the socially respected “final say” on the matter, is displeased.
   So, here is my equivalent reciprocity: When caught, the vandals will have their appearance altered by the property owner. The result can be judged by them or others as an improvement or a detriment, and it is likely that the appearance owner will be displeased, but it matters not, as it is a fair trade, entered upon by the vandal when the choice to "tag" is made.

   To property owners: I am for hire.
   To Macon Cents: I look forward to the opportunity to make you look "less boring and dull and monotonous"

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2. 

   Macon Cents January 22, 2009

   i cannot believe the city is spendgin sooo much time and money on this issue. give me a f*ckin break. people actually are trying to control something as uncontrollable as GRAFFITI in a growing city?!? am i the only one that realizes how ridiculously pointless this is? its a CITY people, its not a small town like black mountain ok…youve got 200,000 people or so living together in an area, and you wanna spend time and money trying to get rid of GRAFFITI?!?! its a little paint on your f*ckin wall, stop whining about it and making it such a big deal, and just go clean it up, and SHUT UP already. my goodness i keep hearing about this graffiti problem in asheville, and its like come on get a life already every city in the country since the mid 80s has had graffiti in it, its part of being a city. a city without graffiti not only is gonna be boring, but is an impossible idea. "wah wah wah i wanna post the pictures of vandals on the screen before the movie" like anyone watching the movie gives a S*IT about these graffiti artists on the screen before they’re flick. waht do you expect people to do be like "oh yea thats my neighbor im glad i saw his picture so now i can go beat his ass after th emovie" ?? NO! get a life people, graffiti can be a really really neat aspect of cities, and for poeople who know about graffiti it IS a reallly unique thing that can represent a lot about an area. stop looking at it like its so detrimental. i love graffiti because it makes things less boring and dull and monotonous…oh look great another boring building. lets liven thigns up a little bit, take a chance, have some fun, maybe be CREATIVE, but no non ononononononono dont do that, that would be bad, if you even THINK of being creative or doing something such as this you will be scorned by societ…well guess what society is lame, which is why were out there doing this stuff in the first place…f*ckin talkin about ‘boo hoo graffiti problem’…open your flippin eyes people

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3. 

   freeborn January 12, 2009

   Graffiti zones would help in a big way. If we provide space for real graffiti artists and then knuckle down on taggers you will see a big improvement. The other component is that we have failing educational opportunities for kids. We have little to know after school, evening, and week end opportunities for kids. If you keep kids busy they stay out of trouble. If you provide legitimate outlets for creative and youthful expression of angst then you will reduce their desire to lash out via stupid spray painting.

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4. 

   Seth January 11, 2009

   Graffiti vandals

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5. 

   Ash January 11, 2009

   making the vandals clean up their work is a good idea, eemilla.

   Art Lover, umm, there was no "intent." is there a value-neutral term? "young white males charged with graffiti" ?

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6. 

   Art Lover January 11, 2009

   Your headline, "Graffiti Artists," implies a value judgment, that what these people are doing is "art." Or perhaps you were using the term analogously to "scam artists/con artists." What was your intent?

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7. 

   eemilla January 11, 2009

   Once they are convicted, I don’t see a problem with airing their faces, although I doubt the efficacy of such a move. Isn’t being on the big screen aiding in their notoriety? Posting the photos convicted johns or others who wouldn’t want their crimes to be public knowledge would work more. Banning the vandals from the premises might work better; however, I prefer the vandals having to clean up their damage as part of their community service.

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