Murals Done Right

This is the complete opposite of the Giants of Edmonton, which is as institutional as public art can possibly be. These murals in Miami, FL are done by graffiti/street artists. Edmonton has so many blank walls...hmm...

Sao Paulo + Graffiti = Toursit Destination???

A travel website has a slideshow of some graffiti in Sao Paulo, so graffiti can attract tourists to your city!!! Hint, hint...Edmonton

Painted Walls + Edmonton

Here is a slideshow of my Edmonton Graffiti Photos...including tags, roof pieces, and unsuccessful removal/cover ups...

Broken Windows + Graffiti!

The "Broken Window Theory" states that disorder and crime are linked. If a window is left broken, soon the all the other windows will be broken. A window left unrepaired creates the impression that no one cares, so it is okay to break another. One act of vandalism can lead to more crime. Vandalism leads to an environment where the people in the vandalized neighborhood feel unsafe. They may think that more serious crimes are occurring when they are not. Vandalism is connected with urban decay, if unruly people (rowdy teenagers and drunks) and vandalism in the neighborhood are left unchecked. The general idea is that if bad behavior goes unchecked, it will lead to more serious crimes. In cities like Edmonton, all graffiti is considered an act of vandalism. The general public may not see the reality of graffiti, and many misconceptions occur. Graffiti can be vandalism and it can be frightening for those who are faced with it, but not all graffiti should be considered vandalism. Graffiti can be more than simple vandalism, as we have seen with graffiti artists like Banksy. Could the City of Edmonton better educate themselves and the public about the realities of graffiti?

Graffiti Artist = Banksy

Banksy is a graffiti artist. His true identity is a mystery, because some of what he does is illegal after all. His pieces are easily recognizable on the streets...his stencils appear on the streets, in zoos and he sometimes takes his own work in to museums (undercover of course). Some of his street graffiti (not all of it) is covered over by the authorities, just like any other graffiti, but he fights back hitting these spots again and possibly again! He is a professional artist with successful gallery shows and commercial jobs.
Artist + Graffiti = Banksy. Banksy demonstrates that graffiti can be art, and that this art can convey an assortment of ideas to the masses. Banksy's art in public spaces is accessible, simple, humorous, and political, not elitist and convoluted. While the authorities removing his art from the streets call it vandalism and say that his images will breed an atmosphere where crime will thrive, there are those who appreciate his art and are willing to pay for it...Banksy proves that graffiti can be more than just mischief, it can enrich our public spaces. The fact the the those in charge do not remove all of his work sends a strong message. Would Edmonton benefit from an artist who works in public spaces, bringing his or her wit and sophistication to them? I keep going back to the Giants of Edmonton...our public art is so safe and unwilling to offend, because of this it is hard to say anything of importance. Controversy can breed conversation and debate, while murals of Lois Hole with her sunflowers do nothing (except embarrass)...

Toronto = Edmonton's Role Model?

Toronto has a Public Space Committee dedicated to defending and celebrating their public spaces. Whether that means creating public art done by the public or rallying against advertising in public space, it is a grassroots not for profit group of volunteers. This group could be a great benefit to the graffiti artist who wants to create work in a public space... I could find no evidence of such a group in Edmonton. If they do exist here, they are well hidden! Should Edmonton follow in Toronto's footsteps? Could a group like this help create public spaces that are less institutionalized (think Churchill Square with its hospital-like atmosphere)? If anything, Edmonton needs a role model to help improve its public art situation...The giant shoes at the Southgate Mall Transit Station make me sad...

Edmonton's Mural Program???

Edmonton has a mural program called “Giants of Edmonton”. A professional art studio creates these works, unlike The City of Toronto, who commission unemployed youth to paint murals. Edmonton’s murals are very institutionalized; so far the murals created are related to sports, volunteers and the military. The organizations involved even get to put their logos on the works. That is not public art, it is ADVERTISING! It seems like the City of Edmonton just wants to please local businesses by giving them an opportunity to advertise using public money! The program is supposed to deter graffiti by creating public murals, but the “Giants of Edmonton” does not give the graffiti artist any input. The mural program is completely removed from the graffiti scene in Edmonton. Shouldn’t a mural program that wants to deter graffiti involve the local graffiti artists that are looking for a legal outlet to beautify the city? The current murals look like something that would be hanging in a nursing home, complete with script font! Graffiti is a grassroots/underground movement. The “Giants of Edmonton” is the complete opposite of that. The city decides what to put up, not the local graffiti artist, or even local people (well, except for listeners of 630 CHED). I hope Edmonton will realize that a mural program that is far removed from the local graffiti scene will probably not be able to deter graffiti…

Edmonton Arts Council + Graffiti

The Edmonton Arts Council offers an alternative to the strict "graffiti is vandalism" stance of Edmonton politicians. The Arts Council understands the contribution that graffiti can make to the public art of Edmonton. Graffiti Zones Program wants to increase the number of legal graffiti sites in Edmonton. Their goal is not to eliminate graffiti, but to bring quality graffiti to the attention of the masses. Helping the public better understand graffiti could change the notion that all graffiti is vandalism. The council wants to encourage artists, and give them an environment where they can legally and freely express their ideas, not matter what they are...ruffle some feathers!

This is Vandalism

When talking about graffiti, there are examples where it is obviously vandalism! Acts like this makes it more difficult for many people to understand how graffiti can be an important and beautiful form of public art!

Edmonton's Solution

This is a photo I took in a Jasper Avenue back alley. This is Edmonton's Graffiti Management Program at work. Is this how we want Edmonton to look?

An Opinion Expressed with Graffiti...

Do you agree?

City of Edmonton + Graffiti...

The City of Edmonton chooses to “Wipe Out” graffiti. According to the city’s official website, 2008 was the first year of the Graffiti Management Program which is connected with the Litter Management Program under the Capital City Clean Up. A “Wipe Out Graffiti” brochure is available on the City of Edmonton’s official site. “Let’s Wipe Out Graffiti!” the brochure exclaims. Eradication is the solution! Graffiti is treated like a disease; if it is not removed immediately it will spread and create and environment that will breed crime. Is graffiti a harmful bacterium found on the walls of Edmonton buildings? Ideally, the City of Edmonton wishes to have a clean, graffiti free city to show possible investors and tourists. I ask, is this even possible? The brochure even admits..."Graffiti may need to be removed three to seven times in the exact same spot before the graffiti offender will give up". I have seen proof of this in the streets. Graffiti, cover up, graffiti, more cover up, and the cycle continues...This seems like a painful and expensive way to fight graffiti. Edmonton puts all graffiti under the category of vandalism. Obviously some graffiti is simply vandalism, but there can be exceptions. As a citizen of Edmonton for the last 3 years, I feel the public art in Edmonton is seriously lacking. Wouldn’t it be great to brighten up blank walls with colourful locally designed works? Wouldn’t it be interesting to designate a public space for graffiti artists to go and create dialogue with one another? Would it not only enhance pride in our city if local people we able to take part in creating bright and vibrant spaces for all enjoy? Wouldn’t it make the dull brown seasons more interesting? Edmonton is ugly for more than half of the year! I think when tourists enter the city in the spring, winter or fall they are faced with blandness. Is this why Edmonton has the reputation of being “dEdmonton”? Visually, it is dull, brown and dead!

Whyte Avenue Cement Barrier=Truth???