life behind bars for grafiti

[ving]

taken in the underground bunkers at la perouse

[supernova1965]

I often wonder with all these cave paintings we see around in various countries if the elders of the time complained about the young people painting their tags all over the walls of their caves and tried to stop it. This is a little tounge in cheek but I wonder in the future if archeologists will look back at today's Graffiiti the same way we look back at cave paintings.:P

[Lumen Miner]

I believe they will look back with interest. Imagine all the political graf, in developing countries. If you think about it, it is really one of the only forms of lasting pictorial story telling the youths have at their disposal.

Tagging is a pathetic pass time, yet I do see merit in "works of art" located in appropriate areas.

[Lumen Miner]

Interesting indeed! Quite conceptual of you, I might add. :)

[Ric]

Nice capture Ving.

Some of this type of work is really quite stunning to see.

[AlexN]

Great photo mate, As a former graffiti artist, I can say without question that 80% of the graffiti I've seen rivals the best contemporary art you will find anywhere... There is an amazing diversity in styles, motivations and themes behind todays graffiti... I was a writer between 1996 and 2005 in Melbourne. During those years the scene changed and grew much like any style of art you see today. but the basis, the point of it all remained much the same. As long as there is something to be said, there will be graffiti.

I wholeheartedly agree that 'tagging' is pointless, ugly and not at all constructive.. but a well placed, tasteful and colorful work of art in a dark, dingy looking alley way, or the boring brown walls lining the train lines in my opinion is a beautiful brightening of our cities.. Its part of the culture of the city. In Melbourne city culture, so much so that most of the graffiti within the city is now heritage listed...

Its a very much misunderstood form of self expression, and because it is believed to all be done by young kids who are seen to be trouble makers, it is frowned upon. More often than not, its people who's lives present them with no other outlet, they express themselves the only way they can.. In my opinion, if their self expression brightens my journey to work, or gives me something interesting to look at when I'm walking home, or waiting for a train, then good on them..

[ving]

thanks for the feedback y'all.

interesting writeup on what is really very misunderstood. tagging sucks tho....