I wish someone would break PHONOH's legs

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to this. Graffiti holds a special place in my heart. It is definitely an art form and it is a means of expression.

Now let me add this – I was a graffiti writer in the very early 80's when this neighborhood – as so many others – were disgusting. Buildings – yes even in Park Slope- were boarded up/burned down – totally depressing. At the time there was no internet, no web sites, etc. Graffiti was a way to say "hey I am here, I do exist and I do have some talent". No one was helping our youth with the problems of the time (i.e., teen pregnancy was rampant, crack was starting on the scene, etc.). These were mostly minority teens who had true artistic talent, but were being ignored by the masses as "thugs who were not true artists". Remember this was before "political correctness" so you can imagine what these teens were referred to. Corporations or non-profits were not helping these teens. I can name only two organizations a teen could go to for counseling, mentoring, etc. and that was Colony House on Dean Street and the Door in Manhattan. New York was a different time and vibe then. Climates in music and public awareness were starting to be addressed through urban avenues (such as rap, break dancing, etc.) thus finally giving these teens a voice. They treated rap and urban culture the same way the 50's treated rock n' roll and the women's movement.

I do still love the beautiful pieces put up in loving memory of those who have passed on or even on a school yard and most of the true graffiti artists have gone on to do lots of legal commissioned work. Someone mentioned Five Points – yes it is beautiful because it is pieces being thrown up – not tags.

I will always believe that graffiti is an art but graffiti now is not the same anymore to me its just words – there is no force behind it anymore.

AR wrote: What if Target hired a kick ass team of graffiti artists to tag their logo everywhere?

actually, IBM did that in Chicago a few years ago (maybe other cities too; I was in chi-town). for their "peace. love. linux." campaign, they had people all over the city stencil spraypainted logos (peace sign, heart, linux penguin.) on sidewalks and whatnot.

guess what? the city got pretty pissed. not only is graffiti illegal, you can't even buy spray paint in chicago (you have to drive to the burbs). and unlike taggers, who can be hard to track down, a major corporation which has put its LOGO everywhere is pretty easy to sue.

sue they did. pay, IBM did. including paying to remove all the zillions of logos (they were EVERYWHERE).

it was gratifying to watch a corporation not be above the law for once.

Sony is doing that right now with it's PSP advertising. Hriring graffiti artists to do some really cool cartoon kids playing PSP's that don't say Sony at all.

If you cared to read what I said I made a "statement" that it holds a special place in my heart. I also said that the commissioned work and the in memory of work is what I enjoy. I also stated it does not do the same thing to me it did then. I was giving you a little insight into who I am and graffiit was a part of that. Do not take my offering my opinion and feeling as an okay to trash it on this board. Many of the people here have met me in person and know who I am and what I am about so I feel no need to further defend myself.

That said back to being friends