Expression (an Inside Look at Graffiti)
By SARETH UNDERWOOD
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” said Cesar Cruz. This single quote defines graffiti. At the mention of the word, most people think of stolen spray paint and illegality. But the culture surrounding graffiti is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Pure unadulterated expression (mostly of controversial views) is silenced by the government. According to the website “Criminal Defence Lawyer” “If you are convicted of a graffiti crime in the state of Nevada, the penalty ranges from as little as fine of between $400 and $1,000 and serving 100 hours of community service, to as much as five years in a state prison and a $10,000 fine. ” But at Animas there is spraypaint on site and small stencils and tags everywhere you look. We are encouraged to express our views. I have read the words on the sidewalk saying “Don’t follow leaders” hundreds of times in my short two years at AHS. This is the message this school has given me, as opposed to in public school, where I was taught the opposite.
Digital Art Teacher Roxy McKnight said “Graffiti is guerrilla warfare on urban boringness.” Guerrilla is defined as “a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.” Graffiti is typically discouraged, but here at Animas High School it is greatly encouraged. It is mainly because of what Libby Cowles states “It's important for humans of all ages and especially teens to find their identity and in high school finding yourself and going against negative stereotypes the most important thing you will learn.”
Graffiti has given me the means in which I learned how to show people my views in a arguably beautiful way. I was told to push back on things that I thought were wrong, and to actually look at the issues that affect me everyday. Graffiti can also express appalling things such as racism, objectification, homophobia and even gang crimes. Bayfield Middle School was tagged with heroin needles, drug images and things that in my opinion 11 year olds should not be exposed to. The Bayfield Calvary Church was also tagged with Satanic emblems. I do not personally condone all Christian views, but I am against hate crimes. It is these crude views that are destroying the greater graffiti community, who use it as a legitimate form of expression. I am pushing for our school to donate one wall to a yearly mural that we as a school would create together. Please email [email protected] for more information on how you can get involved.
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/global-graffiti-8-powerful-street-artists
Marquis Lewis
By SARETH UNDERWOOD
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” said Cesar Cruz. This single quote defines graffiti. At the mention of the word, most people think of stolen spray paint and illegality. But the culture surrounding graffiti is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Pure unadulterated expression (mostly of controversial views) is silenced by the government. According to the website “Criminal Defence Lawyer” “If you are convicted of a graffiti crime in the state of Nevada, the penalty ranges from as little as fine of between $400 and $1,000 and serving 100 hours of community service, to as much as five years in a state prison and a $10,000 fine. ” But at Animas there is spraypaint on site and small stencils and tags everywhere you look. We are encouraged to express our views. I have read the words on the sidewalk saying “Don’t follow leaders” hundreds of times in my short two years at AHS. This is the message this school has given me, as opposed to in public school, where I was taught the opposite.
Digital Art Teacher Roxy McKnight said “Graffiti is guerrilla warfare on urban boringness.” Guerrilla is defined as “a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.” Graffiti is typically discouraged, but here at Animas High School it is greatly encouraged. It is mainly because of what Libby Cowles states “It's important for humans of all ages and especially teens to find their identity and in high school finding yourself and going against negative stereotypes the most important thing you will learn.”
Graffiti has given me the means in which I learned how to show people my views in a arguably beautiful way. I was told to push back on things that I thought were wrong, and to actually look at the issues that affect me everyday. Graffiti can also express appalling things such as racism, objectification, homophobia and even gang crimes. Bayfield Middle School was tagged with heroin needles, drug images and things that in my opinion 11 year olds should not be exposed to. The Bayfield Calvary Church was also tagged with Satanic emblems. I do not personally condone all Christian views, but I am against hate crimes. It is these crude views that are destroying the greater graffiti community, who use it as a legitimate form of expression. I am pushing for our school to donate one wall to a yearly mural that we as a school would create together. Please email [email protected] for more information on how you can get involved.
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/global-graffiti-8-powerful-street-artists
Marquis Lewis