Cycling graffiti or public art?

[alpinerabbit]

What is vandalism vs. public art vs. graffiti

back in the 80's - Switzerland was just waking up from being a rather backwards and very conservative little place - a guy in Zurich commited the abominable act of creating art on public walls with spray cans. He was arrested, I think he even spent some time in jail.

These days, his originals are being "curated" and he does new ones:

Harald Nägeli

[salsabike]

I think quite a lot of graffiti is art; see this website---

http://www.woostercollective.com/

[Grog]

"Parusel said the group had hoped to paint the Kitsilano half of the barrier too, but ran out of paint."

Cute.

and: "Heavy animal presence!"

I think it's a sweet idea. I just hope there isn't too much paint on the pavement, it will be slippery when it rains.

[sfa]

I don't think it really counts as either graffiti or public art. It *looks* more like graffiti, and not even very good graffiti at that (some graffiti is gorgeous and would absolutely be considered public art if the artist had the permission of the property owner to put it up). But since it's not permanent and since it may have been done with permission, I wouldn't put it in the graffiti category.

But I also wouldn't call it public art, not by a long shot. There's nothing really artistic about it. I'd just call it public decoration, kind of along the same lines as twinkle lights and potted plants, or those fire hydrants painted to look like people or animals.

Sarah

[shootingstar]

"Parusel said the group had hoped to paint the Kitsilano half of the barrier too, but ran out of paint."

Cute.

Noticed that too. The group is probably sensitive that visual public perception of the bike lane, barriers and the success/failure of the bike lane reallocation..will affect the City of Vancouver mayor's political credibility/public support.

I've been to some meetings organized by this group who have actually recently organized a full-fledged design competition on a professional standard that invited and had several architectural firms submit design proposals for a downtown Vancouver civic public square/commons/public meeting space. But the general public wouldn't even know that the group members did some super/slick professional work vs. this informal 'art' jam on the bridge.

This group has tenuous overlapping membership with the local cycling advocacy group. But the 2 groups have different mandates. However, it is interesting how a non-cycling advocacy group approaches cycling issues.