Grafitti: Beautiful Destruction

Grafitti is vandalism, it is the playful defacing or trashing public property or of someone’s personal property.

Graffiti, spelled differently here, is described by some sources as wall writings.

Grafitti occurs when playful but misguided youngsters spray-paint drawings, slogans or other such markings on the sides of buildings, fences, sidewalks, in public restrooms, etc.

Make no mistake, graffiti is against the law. I know that, I understand it, and I agree that is the way it should be.

Okay, okay, enough of that.

I snapped this photo (above) as we rode by a passing train. Note the graffiti painted on the side. My first thought was to capture the moment. I did that. I whipped out my camera and snapped this shot.

My second thought was…WOW, that’s an amazing piece of artwork. It’s beautiful! There is so much detail, I marvel at the beauty.

Finally I thought, how sad. Someone has broken the law by defacing public property. It is also sad because this is a really amazing piece of art work.

Grafitti might be illegal, but it is awesome art at the same time. I only wish that all those with such talents could and/or would use those talents in a more productive way.

If only there were an outlet for that creativity and wasted talent, society would be better served.  

What are your thoughts on graffiti? Do you see any beauty in the pieces? What are your suggestions for utilizing those artistic talents?