10 Related Links - both For and Against - including my summaries

ARTWASHERE.co.nz

This post is also from a blogging website, in this case 'Tumblr', and the post itself focuses on the complete removal of one of Auckland's last apparent areas where graffiti was deemed acceptable by artists, and more importantly, the public. The writer definitely takes the side of the artist in this case, and even suggests that people sign their petition to help prevent such areas getting removed in the future. It also is specifically focused on the 'so-called' removal problem in Auckland, so it is a perfect post to help support my argument of the removal of Auckland graffiti.



                


Corban Estates Art Centre

This is Corban Estates Art Centre's official website, which is in blog format. I would have assumed that due to the fact that this is a more professional business, and more concentated on fine art, that they may have taken a less supportive stance on the Auckland graffiti issue. But to my surprise, the article talks about working with Auckland graffiti crew 'TMD' to help liven an area that they personally had gifted to the graffiti art form. It provides picture and video of the artwork and the process, and does a good job to put a positve spin on the fact that graffiti can be a positive, colourful addition to any area. They even go as far as calling it "high end artwork". This suggests that the article itself is not directed to other graffiti artists, but a wider, probably more professional audience. All to support the same cause that i am trying to highlight by choosing this topic.

Melbourne: Art brings city to life

 This online article is from the New Zealand Herald's website, and is the only link of all 10 that isn't written about Auckland specifically. But the subject of the article is almost exactly about what I'm trying to raise awareness about on the topic of graffiti, and its deserved place in the urban environment. Found in the travel section of the website, it focuses on Melbourne, Australia, and the fact that graffiti, in all of its forms, has more of a positive connotation over there. So much so, that 'Art walks' and tours have started in the area, promoting and educating people about the art found on the city streets and in the back alleys of Melbourne, and points out that a lot of the artwork is commissioned by the city council itself. The legitimacy of the ideas behind this article become even more concrete when it reveals that these graffiti tours are run by professional gallery curators. "For Alibrando, good art is good art - regardless of where it is."

blog.askew1.com

This is the personal blog site of one of Auckland most prestigious graffiti artists 'Askew' and the blog itself is about the unjustified removal of, what might be regarded as, Auckland's most well known painted wall. Located just off Poynten Tce. This graffiti removal in early 2011 caused a huge uproar among local Auckland artists and creatives alike, and was the first real graffiti removal incident that started massive council and media debate on the topic. Askew has written this article from the artists point of view, but is very analytical and looks at the issue from both sides, accumulating lots of research and raising some very reasonable questions about the Auckland Council's bios stance of art done with aerosols and the mis-communication between Council and Law Enforcement. Askew's research points out contradictions and highlights the councils misguided views on what 'they' consider to be art, without getting blinded by his personal connection with the artwork and the wall itself. He displays common-sense in the face of council bios.

Graffiti Vandalism Brochure - Auckland City Council

This is a PDF of a Graffiti Vandalism brochure brought out by the Auckland Council and is available on the Auckland Council webiste. This brochure is unfortunately filled with opinion and not much fact. There is no mention on the difference between Graffiti Art, and pure vandalism which is very important when trying to inform the community on this issue. The fact that this brochure is from such a reputable source, means that a lot of community members will be influenced by this brochure, thinking it is factual and relevant. But personally speaking from the artists point of view, the information is clearly 1-sided. "Graffiti vandalism can lower property values, can encourage other types of crime and often makes a community appear unsafe to live in." Bios comments like this should not be included in a brochure summary, and anyone with a little common sense will realise that this brochure is almost a form of propogangda against ligitimate artists that happen to use spraycans to create their art pieces. Yes, spraycans can be used as a form of vandalism, but it should be obvious what is art, and what is not.

They even contradict themselves with the front page photo used - A girl pictured with her hand up, covering, what actually will be a large scale, colourful piece of 'name-based' art. That is not vandalism. Vandalism is unrecognisable scribbles done late at night by someone with less then best intentions on personal property, or on a business's roller doors, and there are many examples of that they could have used, but instead, they chose something more asthetically pleasing, so to make for a better cover photo for this Brochure.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/culture/5253818/Graffiti-artist-gets-help-from-the-cops


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10739544


http://artwashereak.tumblr.com/post/7997587496/source-cracked-ink-crew-more-debate-about


http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/connect/events/2011/oct/93247-graffiato-street-art-festival-in-taupo


http://cutcollective.tumblr.com/post/7281061958/no-more-grey-walls-petition-for-download