a bad idea...in my opinion

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I agree

Submitted by Norm on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 9:17am.

it's a band-aid approach. They are trying to curb the tool as opposed to addressing the actual problem. It ranks right up there with gun control as far as I'm concerned.

EDIT: the gun control remark is an inside joke for all the bloggers who know me. Don't respond to that aspect of my comment please, I don't want a hijack.

I completely agree

Submitted by enpen on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 9:21am.

Another attempt to encourage ignorance over knowledge.

Drone on!

I Think You'll Find

Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 9:31am.

those who have been victimized by graffiti will embrace this idea...

Personally, I realize and accept there are true graffiti artist out there such as yourself and I agree with Norm's comment that it could possibly be viewed as trying to curb the tool as opposed to addressing the actual problem. On the other hand, having been the victim of a paint can terrorist who was no true artist, I can completely understand King County's position on this. That little twerp's reign of terror in our neighborhood ended up costing me over $5000.00 to fix (had to repaint the house) and we were able to prosecute successfully and were court ordered restitution, but we have yet to see a dime and that was 3 years ago and he & his little buddy who helped are now over 18 and holding down jobs.

This will be a tough one for all sides!

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

my ideal

Submitted by enpen on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 12:09pm.

Here's what I'd really like to see happen (and what I'm working toward): The city of Olympia promotes street art (graffiti, stickers, sculpture, etc.) and helps realize books/films/other stuff that can then be sold to the ravenous art market abroad. By promoting street art the city would also see a rise in tourism dollars and provide a stage for the development of local talent. Now as part of these new sources of income a pool would be set aside that the new revenue sources feed into. This pool would then be available for the inevitable vandalism that occurs whether or not street art is promoted, thus providing restitution for victims of the vandalism such as yourself.

I love art

Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 10:45am.

As everyone knows by now, I was the one that solicited help that ended up as a great mural on the Elks Lodge (thanks again and again and again to CIAGuy, kids and friends).

On the other hand, destruction of private property cannot be accepted. I've seen this subject become a "debate" on the concept of "property shouldn't be owned in the first place", but I can't buy into it. That train already left the station. People have invested in property and buildings and have the right to protection from vandalism.

So, I support more "free walls" and private building owners partnering with the artist community to make more medium (I think I used the proper term there). I also support the artist community being self disciplined to discourage destruction of private property.

As to limiting the accessibility of spray paint, I think Peter V. needs to explore the history of prohibition.

"There is only one race, the human race" - The Neville Brothers

absolutely

Submitted by enpen on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 11:36am.

As to limiting the accessibility of spray paint, I think Peter V. needs to explore the history of prohibition.

Amen brother.

A really interesting story on the failed drug war recently popped up on uber capitalist website MarketWatch.com.

I'd like to....

Submitted by oysterpreserve on Fri, 09/07/2007 - 8:29pm.

I'd like to see artists team up with a gallery to have monthly exhibits on the outside of their building. I think it would be pretty fantastic, to have something where the gallery donates a wall to a single artist or a collaboration of artist to do a piece(s). Every month change the artists, start fresh and do something new.

Trying to remove the tools for graffiti is like taking away a Herion addicts clean needle. It in turn creates a downward spiral greater than the one that was the original focus. I don't agree with Heroin use, but I completely support the clean needle program. I'm not trying to say that Graffiti is like Herion, that relationship just popped into my head. I just wanted to make that clear.

I keep thinking about this...

Submitted by enpen on Tue, 09/11/2007 - 8:13pm.

...and I keep thinking that it would be an excellent idea. Really...an excellent idea.

I always seem to cacth these

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 6:18am.

I always seem to catch these threads a day or so late.

Enpen I do want you to know that I unlike some am not against you or your ideas on any of this art/grafitti business. I might actually have one of the only "impartial" attitudes towards the whole deal up here. I feel like I got a good grasp on what art is and can be, not to mention growing up around and knowing a few people who were exceptional aerosol artists. Now I will say this... Not all art is good, not all art is compelling, and not all art is legal.

That being said you I'm sure you understand we just can't have an out and out free-for-all in the streets and let anybody do anything anywhere. Ideals like that sound pretty great in a utopian fantasy land sort of manner but that is not how our society or community works. Like it or not everyone here is part of this society and part of this community. For your idea to be an acceptable one to the city/public at large I think you would need to scale back the grand vision a bit (at least for the time being) take a smaller step and introduce something more like the example in Seattle I posted for you a couple weeks ago.

I've heard a thing or two recently and it sounds like the city has become interested in beautifying the alleys or something to that extent. That could be good or bad for your vision of "our" street art. A project like community driven sanctioned alley and strategically placed murals (as happened in Seattle) could go great with alley rejuvination projects. It could also bring some nice attention to the city and artists and art scene.

I know that is something I could and would support, and I bet that is the middle ground other folks would be seeking too.

Dave White - "Old Timey Dave"
Oldtime Design & Beverage Blog

agreed

Submitted by enpen on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 6:52am.

Not all art is good, not all art is compelling, and not all art is legal.

Agreed. Agreed. And agreed again. Although the definitions of good and compelling are highly subjective. One man's urinal is another man's R. Mutt, after all.

I'm pretty pragmatic in my Utopian ideals, believe it or not. In noting aspects of how our society and community works it's apparent that most people don't respond to the we should help other people realize their talents motive unless there's something in it for them. Thus, my intent is to help slowly erode the anti-street art sentiment so pervasive in our society by showing the monetary benefit of street art to our society. It's a long road, but I intend to be in Olympia for a long time (relatively speaking, of course).

You should call me, we

Submitted by Rob Richards on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 8:44am.

You should call me, we should get coffee and talk about alleys. I'm forming a posse to make alleys community space and I want you involved.

I hold a stone in my hand

Well I am in agreement that

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 5:42pm.

Well I am in agreement that good and compelling is subjective too and I hope I didn't come any different. I am all for alley ways that are clean and chocked full of art. Organizations and communities that support street art is a very good thing in my opinion, and I'll tekk you a couple reasons why.

My art school buddy who was involved with Seattle's Street Smart Art program still has 2 or 3 pieces he created via the organization up and not painted over or destroyed. That tells me that it was and still remains respected public art, and for the Phinney Ridge community where one of the murals still is, it means 10+ years of no "grafitti" (I didn't say aresrol art" or taggingmind you) in a one time problem spot. My friend that was involved in the program he now lives in New York last I heard and is showing his work in galleries there.

Not all stories would end up that way... but some artists could realize their potential and possibly persue an art career. Believe me I am all about more artists in the world.

I also want to say that I am in no way saying the art has to be taken away from the street or the street has to be taken away from the art. On the contrary. I do think that for most artists (the ones I have known) street art is just another step to a more evolved artistic life as they grow older.

You guys keep me in touch on the project it sounds great. I'd even supply the coffee but I know Enpen isn't hurting for coffee. ;)

Dave White - "Old Timey Dave"
Oldtime Design & Beverage Blog

need help......

Submitted by oysterpreserve on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 8:42pm.

Enpen - I am pretty new to the area so I couldn't be much help on my own, but if you had more thoughts on the subject or could use any assistance in trying to bring something like this to a realization I would love to become involved......let me know your thoughts.

HERE is a

Submitted by olyruby on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 7:32am.

Good Idea : http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/visualart/331698_seenscene15.html

a Seattle story about paying at risk youth to paint murals.

http://www.artsresourcenetwor

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 7:38am.

http://www.artsresourcenetwork.net/public_art/publicartroadmap/default.asp

On this page are a couple links to a document that contains Seattle's solution 11 or so years ago. Looks like the Art Resource Network also has some pages with tips on starting community projects along the left sidebar.

Dave White - "Old Timey Dave"
Oldtime Design & Beverage Blog

http://www.artsresourcenetwor

Submitted by oldtimeydave on Sat, 09/15/2007 - 7:41am.

http://www.artsresourcenetwork.net/community_arts

Dave White - "Old Timey Dave"
Oldtime Design & Beverage Blog

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