We have art forms coming up all the time, but graffiti, if we were to take it as an art form, exists since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire. But back then they were just writings or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or painted illicitly on a wall or other surface, often within public view. Now, it is a rapidly developing art form with paint (particularly spray paint) and marker pens as an essential and primary tool. In most countries, marking or painting property without the property owner's permission is considered defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime. But I, personally, believe there is a thin, yet somewhat defined line between the two. So, what would be plain vandalism, and what would be a developing art form of modern times? “Art is anything you can get away with”, said Marshall McLuhan. Even though he wasn’t a graffiti artist, he made a valid point we can rely on. And I don’t think one should be able to get away with hate speech graffiti or a gang graffiti. What wasn’t done for a good reason, mustn’t be treated as good, and vice versa. Vandalism graffiti and art graffiti should be looked at separately, thus treated separately.
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