Graffiti- Street Art or Vandalism.

Graffiti is a name that is not too unfamiliar to everyone. Graffiti is a type of painting that is done with a very special tool and at a very special place. It is painted with spray cans and drawn on walls on streets or roads. Although in my country - Vietnam, graffiti is not popular, many people do not know what the word means, but when I saw some graffiti paintings on some streets in other countries, I was impressed by it.

Different from the types of paintings I have known and seen directly, graffiti brings me a completely new view of painting art. The size that spans on rough walls, the eye-catching colors, and the unique images, makes me curious and excited about this type of art.

On the way to school, I often see a few paintings or a simple signature resembling the graffiti style. And people seem to not pay attention to the appearance and meaning of it, or if someone notices it they only see it as a naughty drawing of children. People's thoughts like that are understandable to me because the paintings I encountered on the streets were very small and simple, and did not affect much the landscape. And those paintings did not have much investment and creativity.

I will briefly talk about the origin of graffiti that I have learned. The history of graffiti began in the 1960s and 1970s in the United States when young people began using spray cans from factories to paint their images and names on walls or subway trains to express their emotions, social issues, environment, and life.
Since its inception, graffiti has brought out two clear opinions, support, and opposition.

Supportive opinions

• Graffiti can be considered a characteristic of contemporary art because it demonstrates the freedom, rebellion, and creativity of the person who creates it. The most impressive feature of graffiti for its fans is its uniqueness, so it can easily evoke emotions from the audience.
• Although in my country, spraying paint on public places without permission is prohibited, I think that if graffiti is done correctly and on permitted wall parts then it is not only a way to decorate the wall more vividly, but also can protect the wall from dirt.
• If other artists need talent, passion, and creativity to create a satisfying and influential painting. Graffiti artists are no different, but they also need courage - the courage to draw paintings that express their voice, ready to resist oppression.
• In addition, graffiti helps the artist convey important messages about society, the environment, and life, bring new ideas, and promote innovation.

Opposing opinions

• Some of my friends, after seeing me taking pictures of graffiti on the street, or when I see graffiti paintings on the internet, said: these paintings are probably only beautiful to the person drawing them. I was very curious as to why my friends had that thought.
  I will consider these things based on personal perspectives and cultural perspectives in my country.
• Firstly, graffiti paintings for many people do not have meaning and are just like a disaster to destroy the walls and public areas. And it will make many people laborious to clean those paintings.
• Secondly, some people believe that the spread of graffiti paintings in public places will create negative impressions for the city, leading to a reduction in the value of urban areas and affecting tourism and investment.
• Lastly, using spray cans to draw on walls can affect the painter's health, such as lung disease and diseases related to inhaling toxic fumes.

As a person who always wants to express my own ego, I have a more positive view of graffiti paintings. The courage to show one's own personality and individuality outside is something that not everyone can do, or more precisely, dare to do. The people who draw graffiti paintings are all people with artistic talent and love for it. Every pain, dissatisfaction, and inspiration is expressed by spraying.
Wishing everyone a delightful read!

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