The Art of Vandalism

The concept of art and the vital core of the artist are such intriguing subjects for the logical mind to affix to. Not that my mind is always so logical, but it seems to forever intrigue me, which is probably the reason I gravitated to an article posted on BBC today that featured a story on the graffiti art of a tenacious Brazilian artist named Zezao. After reading about Zezao and other graffiti artists on the streets of Sao Paulo, I just can't help but wonder if all logic is flushed out of the heads of the true artist. I only say "true" because nowadays, everyone is an artist.

Unlike many graffiti artists, Zezao's canvas is not found on an underpass, a riverbed, or the side of an establishment, but in places where no one is likely to see it - in the polluted tunnels beneath the streets of Sao Paulo. And his art is not art for art's sake, nor is he simply expressing his talent because it's beautiful work (which it really is), but instead is making a statement. He claims to be calling attention to hazardous conditions and structure of the tunnels which he describes as "degradation" from years of neglect and pollutants.

What about his own health and the risks he's putting himself through? I thought about that too, but according to the article, he claims to have had several vaccinations to allow him to continue his work. He's hard core. Or crazy. I'm not sure which since I've never met him. But I do have to admit that I think it's very honorable of him to be so committed to the cause of beautifying the tunnels of his city, and raising public awareness about these conditions.

A little less noble, but more famous graffiti artist known as Titifreak, also in Sao Palo, rejects the views of those who see graffiti as vandalism. He stated his case, claiming that those connecting vandalism and graffiti are missing a little bit of "literature and culture." After reading this statement, I thought that what was missing in his line of thinking was a little ethical conduct, because unless you have permission of the owner of the building, or have been commissioned to create your work on the wall, it is still vandalism no matter how beautiful it is.

I love to look at beautiful graffiti. Not someone's nickname half-heartedly scribble-sprayed out in neon green, but the work that someone really put their soul into. Don't mistake me for some hard-nose do-gooder - in fact, I'm an artist myself (because everyone is right?), but I also recognize it for what it is. Beautiful, skillful, striking, awe-inspiring, vandalism. In reading a graffiti artist's passionate conviction for his urban canvas, I see there is a disconnection in their standards of public conduct, so Titifreak will have to excuse me for finding a hiccup in his logic.

If Zezao's gorgeous work among the dead rats, brown water and crumbling structure gets the attention that Zezao wants to make improvements in his city, then I'm in his corner cheering for him, whether it's illegal or not - whether it gets painted over or not, because he's putting his life on the line for the betterment of Sao Paulo. Titifreak - may be a great graffiti artist, but needs to work on his reasoning-skills.