I am writing with reference to the Argus front page of April 16. I understand it is a responsibility of Brighton and Hove City Council, the police and Simon Fanshawe to present Brighton and Hove in a certain way, especially now we're a city and the tourist season is underway. However, the idea that graffiti makes an area look unsafe is a prejudice I don't understand. Not all graffiti artists are petty criminals.
Graffiti art is a specific and valid form of expression, often political, and it would be difficult to find a culture or country which has no form of graffiti. It isn't always considered vandalism or an eyesore.
That many artists are in their 20s or gain an interest later in life is proof of that. Marking of territory, useful in some places such as Northern Ireland, indicating where you are and who you are with is something we all start at school - writing your name on your desk or on your books is seldom encouraged but is part of learning independence.
In a time where all space is territorialised by advertising, it's not surprising there is an attempt to claim it back. Perhaps more likely is that everything is made clinical
by faceless corportions and so, to re-personalise the town or city, graffiti becomes valuable in asserting the individual nature of a place such as Brighton and Hove.
"Tagging" is probably the vandalism the police and the community have a problem with. It is not pleasant to have your home attacked and it affects the council financially - but we have seen how repainting is not an effective way by which to tackle it. Kids need to know where it's okay to paint graffiti because telling them off isn't going to work. Nor will explaining why certain places should be left alone.
The skate park at the Level in Brighton is an example of how graffiti can be perfectly acceptable. The idea of being the first on a clean wall - or in the highest or most inaccessible place - will ensure that graffiti will continue to travel, regardless of who is punished for their art work. So either accept it or use a more empathetic approach.
Respect for both sides of the argument is the only way to achieve a compromise.
-April Williams, a_squared2@hotmail.com
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