Graffiti: Art or Vandalism? Street Art in School & Communities | Diego Gonzalez | TEDxCountyLineRoad

Art in public places and in streets is often seen as graffiti by society but can also be used a tool for mass communication and can influence a generation and positively affect our communities and schools. By producing more art in our schools and communities we can create a positive change in our world and make it a more beautiful place.
Diego Gonzalez is a Midwest artist traditional trained at the Herron school of art and Design influenced by graffiti art and illustration. With over 12 years experience as a custom painter his work has been featured in the book: Airbrush How-to with Mickey Harris(sold Nationwide) ,magazines, Airbrush Action online, and large events like the Chicago C2E2 Comic convention and more.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@frogskta5450]

Bro..graffiti is not a tool... Its a way of life

[@angelicagarza143]

It's very interesting that he mentioned that people are afraid to put artwork up in the community but not afraid to slap build boards and advertisements everywhere.

[@ScizGraffiti]

none of this is even related to graffiti.... way to trixk everyone by using a trendy buzzword. no thank you

[@scarletthowe2980]

fr bro

[@deesnutts2070]

Keep doodling kids. Don’t let the teachers tell you otherwise.

[@AemsMC]

1. Graffiti artists ALWAYS put their art in the most trafficked places. It started on the trains of New York in the 70s so that the maximum amount of people could see it. Not abandoned buildings. 2. Banksy isn't much liked in the graffiti world. Stencils are considered cheating by a large section of the scene. 3. Airbrush has nothing to do with graffiti. 4. Please go and learn about actual graffiti before talking on the subject again. Watch Style Wars, check out Subway Art (Henry Chalfant) and learn about the counter-culture. Graffiti is about taking your tag, and getting it up in as many places as you can, bigger and bolder and more than anyone else. It's about damage and coverage and territory and skills with spray cans.

[@EeriePhenomena]

shut up no one likes u geek

[@jilliangraceart]

There is no right or wrong way to do graffiti, in fact, there isn't a right or wrong way to do art in general. Yes, graffiti is about tagging anything and everything, but there are artists that take advantage of an empty wall and use it to change minds and voice forbidden thoughts in public. Just like any other art, graffiti has various ways to be made.

[@wjpmitchell3]

jil no, not really. If you're focus is less on lettering and moreso on images or figures, it's more street art. Graffiti is almost strictly lettering. If it's not illegal, it's no longer graffiti. I mean, writers get commission jobs all the time, and that's totally fine, but when they throw that piece on a movie set, it's work; when it's on a hopper, it's graffiti.

[@zaerzan9022]

Aems MC haha so true no one in the bombing scene has respect for banksy, good to see some educated writers here

[@diesel1279dsl]

graffiti started on the trains in nyc LOL not even close to the truth. history has taught us graffiti has been since day one of mankind. from caves, ancient egypt and so on, all the way to the nyc trains. so actually trains were kind of the last things that graffiti bumped into the last couple of hundred years. please go and learn about actual graffiti before talking on the subject again.

[@gmerkylecYclist]

Great talk. However, where do we draw the line between street art and vandalism? If you are painting on someone else property, public or private, without permission than it is legally vandalism regardless of the fact that it is art. I am writing a paper that is focusing on differentiating street art from vandalism and I keep running into this same problem.

[@FreeValen]

Ey, same! I'm about to work on a big research project on this.. I thought this would be a great source but it wasn't quite what I was looking for.

[@NahkriinAhziid]

Defacing personal or private business property is vandalism. Art would be painting tunnels, sides of freeways, bridges, washes, canals. Believe me there’s a lot of graffiti writers who would keep everything in check

[@rabaldar9269]

Vandalism and art does not need to be seperated. Something can be completely destructive and still be art, human moral should not cloud art.

[@timothylee6859]

Graffiti is pure: gallery art is corporate capitalism. Street art is free and it shows.

[@macboyofficial]

i totally agree its fucked cause it is the government that is stopping the new way of art

[@corryburton9252]

That's not art..... Just for clearance can I spray your car.... No you own it jackasses capitalism is about trading things you have for things you need you should take economics. you spraying my building and me smashing your car with a sledge hammer is literally the same thing under these circumstances... These so called "artists" are ppl that never finished school and never actually worked enough to buy their own freaking canvas.... That's not art it's a crime...

[@sebthedeb8423]

And ruins historical buildings. People like me who love history hate people like you, fake artists

[@SkynetT-1944]

All it shows is that you are a criminal

[@LeakyEyeT]

Corry Burton actually if you got to know the community and it’s non spoken rules you’ll know that the number 1 rule is to not spray paint private cars (unless beef escalated to that point where you’re okay with disrespecting their entire life)or property or places of worship (company cars and trains are free game).

[@kobrapaint1864]

yea unfortunatly this artist Diego although seems like a nice guy he wasn't really accurate with his information about street art, graffiti or airbrushing. He also didn't know the difference between photoshopped images and paintings. Rather insulting to a true graffiti artist and even more so when he displayed his artwork. He needs much more practice as an artist and much more information if he going to do a ted talk. this really discredits ted talks to me...

[@AemsMC]

+Diego Gonzalez you still don't know anything about graffiti

[@amongtheoutkastcrewATOK]

Diego Diablo look homie vanilla ice and MC Hammer went platinum does it mean they’re good!

[@hellyes3756]

air brushing isn't really related to graffiti

[@aleksmoro8769]

That's like saying slap tags(stickers) aren't related to graffiti. Graffiti means vandalizing illegally no matter what tools you use.

[@hellyes3756]

but who brings an airbrush with them when they go out tagging ?

[@Bleeblaablooo]

"Yo, dudes. let's go fuck up some trains with our airbrushing kits." Said no one. EVER.

[@josephlittle1500]

I know this comment is old but a lot of airbrush artists apply graffiti/script to their paintings on shirts, hats, jackets, etc. They too have to understand letter structure and style, much like actual graffiti, just using a different tool like what the guy was talking about in this ted talk.

[@5688gamble]

If a corporation can put up graffiti in my area (billboards) Then I can paint over it or smash it. They can uglify my neighbourhood with their messages to buy this thing and vote for that corrupt politician, I can put up my message too. You don't get a monopoly. And if i don't like what you have to say- it is gone!

[@rosacat5833]

Dude.. Just stop.

[@sleazemcsleazerson1723]

Graffiti and street art are 2 very different things

[@ravcreed]

Graffiti is vandalism. Do you own the buildings, walls, etc. you're painting? No? Then it's vandalism, unless you have permission from the property owner. The arrogance of graffiti artists pisses me off. If it's not yours, you don't get to decide what happens to it.

[@NahkriinAhziid]

ravcreed we’ll paint on whatever public surface we want

[@g-forcehack1913]

Most people paint on a canvas but people who use spray paint the walls, the streets are the peoples canvas. 'art is art'.

[@susiemuffins9090]

Very good speech. I completely agree with what you said. In miller they have graffiti art on Lake St that actually made the city pop. Its very beautiful to see, and I love driving down Lake st. and seeing it. It brings life to the city. Color and Brightness to a depressed area. Glad to see you doing good Diego. I'm happy for you. Keep up the good work.

[@DiegoDiablo]

thanks! I appreciate your support I'm working on some more schools in the area soon.

[@savagesilviotwohiecrowe3564]

Graffiti is life

[@truthbetold818]

It's only vandalism if it's not done by the group of people who we all know as Banksey, who obviously work for the establishment. But if you're poor then you're committing an illegal act.

[@Oneco1n]

his example is actually street art, not graffiti, this two are different

[@g-forcehack1913]

Walls are artists canvas

[@SkynetT-1944]

g- force hack they are criminal canvases

[@charliehorse8686]

Um, no. If your canvas is something you own, go ahead and call it art. If it's something that isn't yours, it's vandalism. It's that simple. Let's say I make a beautiful awe-inspiring image... Maybe a Pegasus, eagle, or dragon. And, lucky you, I added the image to the side of your car while you were out shopping. You're welcome! Maybe the image would qualify as great art. But if I own it, MY opinion matters, not yours. And if it's public property, leave it alone! Right in front of my house is a brand new huge tag. I'll get it removed, but if I was selling my house, I'd get no offers or I'd be forced to sell for far too little. And about every 6 months I have to call the city again to remove a tag.

[@lotuseater7247]

This was incredibly basic. I know it was quite a few years ago now, but even so. And as is often the case with Ted Talks, it proposes something amazing and positive without any critical reflection at all. This is not art, it's propaganda.

[@fornoreason8822]

Painting on other people's property is vandalism. Would want someone spraying paint on your house, car, book bag, coat, your door? People don't think about it until its their property. Solution? Buy a canvas.

[@nolzyy9627]

Art

[@julianamadorrealestate6783]

Jaer CFK Los Angeles

[@ericromero8847]

I used to be tagging when I was like 15 but I got hella markers gonna start bombing with the homie tried last night but to many ppl

[@Obsidian_snake161]

There is a difference between graffiti and vandalism

[@dichterdichter3593]

A lot of graffiti can be art AND vandalism. Look at artists like Moses an Taps, or 1UP and TOYcrew from berlin. Greets from Berlin:)

[@bankrollkaine]

They should ban graffiti!

[@Flexmet]

I am an Artist, I am an artist you keep saying that like you have to validate yourself! We already know what your saying it's very old news/information sorry to be a buffer "wet blanket" but any one that has painted for more than 2 years knows this. How about you practice your painting skills a bit more instead of your public speaking. Pokemon and Darth Vader hats are ??? but maybe some original style!

[@amongtheoutkastcrewATOK]

Homie if you not talking about the first time you got a spray can or talking about your favorite Krylon color. "colonial blue" or what's your favorite color now! "Manama gold Coke G7090" Stop using that word graffiti! If you're telling the story about an airbrush really? And then you start quoting blankys! You need to stop it! And your STYLE is super wack! OMFG!!!

[@rosacat5833]

AMONG THE OUTKAST CREW baaaaaaahahHaha

[@lkipras]

well.. Banksy doesn't have a lot of respect in the graffiti world... Cuz stencils are cheating in graffiti

[@MewsDabest]

I think most people consider him a street artist, not a graffiti artist.

[@lkipras]

maybe people who are in the graffiti world, but norma people who have no graffiti artists consider stencils graffiti

[@corryburton9252]

Painting on something you do not own is vandalism not art. This is coming from a musician that loves art....

[@pablocontreras708]

vandalismo.

[@insectone9315]

graffiti is not art. street art IS NOT graffiti.

[@Youknow0671]

Graffiti is art. street art is not graffiti.. yes graffiti is vandalism but its still art

[@laurenshulsmann6263]

sorry but this is just art with the can as a tool... not real graff!

[@mori-cq5282]

Wipe your nose KEK :D

[@elisabethwilliams4016]

you all don’t realize that there are problems with graffiti removal. for example, taxpayers (you) lose money from graffiti removal and not just that but there are health issues from the chemicals removing it. it’s not that easy. i say that graffiti is art and not vandalism and people actually GET JOBS from this. freedom of expression am i right? and some graffiti is actually quite beautiful. go look it up. we should not remove the graffiti that isn’t harming anyone at all.

[@makz2700]

Exactly, if graffiti isn't hurting anybody, why get rid of it

[@jettywap-987]

I main hanzo REEEEEEEEEEEEE