Street Art

by Mia Scaliter

Nowadays graffiti stands between two opposite social beliefs. It can be seen as an act of vandalism or as a form of expression. By writing this, I intend to pose these two and compare them to reach an agreement. 

On one side, the first statement justifies itself with two main concepts: private property and discrimination/violence. Obviously, when the graffiti artists invade private property it is considered a crime. In addition, and from my point of view, it's not art when you are discriminating against someone because of their gender, skin color, religion, nationality, or beliefs. (Como por ejemplo, símbolos nazi, homofobicos o racistas). So, in those cases, I believe they should be punished. 

Talking about freedom of expression, some artists present difficulties in affording material or finding a way to express their art for people to see it. In my area, you can find a lot of murals done with love and sooo much talent. Artists find themselves free to create without displeasing or hurting anyone, and the result is masterpieces for everyone to see. Por todo el barrio, hay murales hermosos y simbólicos que representan lo que el artista quiso transmitir, las causas que lo mueven y los principios y valores que espera que el mundo refleje.  

All in all, everyone that wants to spend their time doing what they like should not affect others while doing it. I enjoy and stand by the idea of street art and do not believe that banning it is necessary when it is done peacefully.

Some street art in Buenos Aires:

(Frida Khalo- Palermo)

(Maradona, La venganza es el placer de los dioses- Libertador y Dorrego)