i think that's what's special about graffiti. it has a heart of damage, of destruction; of disrespect. it has undeniable artistic elements to it, but it remains very difficult for people, even those in the 'quite accepting out-of-the-box' world of the LA art scene, to reconcile. they invited a vandal and he vandalized. i think that's kind of beautiful in a way.

"why didn't he respect our space, our praise, our attention, our money? why didn't he respect that he was being given something 'bigger' and 'better' and 'more' than his petty world of crime?" because fuck you. graffiti is fuck you. still. regardless of recent attempts to embrace it, recognize it, retain it, reform it from the art and corporate worlds. it's attractive and interesting and 'hip' to these people, but they struggle with it.

i remember reading a graf mag sometime in the 90s, and a rather amazing and accomplished artist said something to the effect of "i think what's most important is damage. everyone can do damage, regardless of skill." i throughly rejected this as a young kid looking for an artistic outlet, but many years later, after becoming a part of the corporate world learning more about art and business and society and money, i think he had something. i think maybe that is what's important. it's not art that everyone can call art, even some people that are trying really hard.