A letter to the editor . . . a comment on Graffiti in Caledonia
While I do not condone the defacing of the phone booths and signage by the various graffiti artists tagging our neighbourhood, I do get the point that they're trying to make.
These artists feel what all artists have always felt, and that is the need for recognition and the desire to express their unique and contemporary social comments on the times. I am disappointed by the public reaction to our own graffiti guerrillas. To treat these relatively benign spray paint incidents as a crime is stretching the severity of the action and is only providing a disincentive and not an alternative to these activities.
Now, I don't mean to say that what was sprayed where it was not wanted was actually "good" art, in fact, I can say with some authority that it could be vastly improved upon as "art". Rather than pouring money into expensive policing, as was suggested, one apparent and obvious solution to the problem of “art where it is not wanted” is to provide a safe space for it. It would cost very little to salvage a couple of plywood sheets and nail them to a few posts in a public park area and encourage those aspiring artists to hone and improve their skills. Some world famous artists like "Bansky" are in the public spotlight for his graffiti, and his works are not only gaining notoriety and recognition, but are now sought after by avid collectors. Some of his works selling for many thousands of dollars to a hungry market.
Most graffiti artists start out by tagging, a stylizing of the "tag" or pseudonym of the artist's name or nickname. As their skills progress they have been known to create some beautiful works of art.
So why not try encouraging their budding creativity with a potentially low cost solution first! I am sure the Parks Dept. may have some plywood lying around and could easily put up a few of them. We could encourage a competition between graffiti artists and spend a fraction of the alternative policing costs on a trophy or recognition in the local papers. Heck, we could even host a "Graffiti-thon" here and bring in some tourists. We might all benefit from this approach.
Yes, putting graffiti where "it is not welcome" is a minor infraction, and, if stretched, even a crime. However,the solution isn't jail time or lofty fines or even the obvious punishment of cleaning up afterwards if caught. I think that by encouraging it "where it is wanted" we will give these teens something to do and give them the opportunity to sharpen their skills.
I remember being a teen myself, and if I were a teen living in Caledonia today I would find very few places welcoming to me, and very little to do or participate in. I don't blame them for saying through their art ..... " Notice me! . . . I live here too! and I need something to do !"
We should at least try and do something about it, in fact, we must do something about it!
Why not try this simple approach?
submitted by Rene Ariens . . . 52 Argyle St. N. Caledonia (905) 765-4511
THE FOLLOWUP BELOW WAS PUBLISHED 2 WEEKS LATER
Editorial Comment on Graffiti
I am hoping that our local press will make this information public by printing this editorial.
Caledonia now has an unofficial "Art Alley" !
What I thought was a simple solution to a vexing problem has grown into something far greater and more important.
The appearance of graffiti in our town in places where it is not welcome seemed on the surface to be easily and economically addressed by the erection of a few simple sheets of plywood in a public park, or by the dedication of an out of sight public wall where our would be teen artists could freely express their visions and hone their skills.
I still feel that clamping down hard on these young offenders without providing a safe place for their "art" to be accepted only provides a disincentive with negative punitive consequences without providing any reasonable alternatives. I also see it as a placebo and far from a true solution.
Since posting my editorial comment I have had a chance to read and understand the several rebuttals and other views and concerns expressing the possibility of vulgarities and other offensive content appearing in public places and their effect on the public,
Now, that is not to say that I no longer feel that "graffiti artists" should not be given a space to freely express themselves. In fact, I have just obtained permission from this building's owner to provide exactly such a space where graffiti is not only allowed but is now actively encouraged. Today I am painting over the back wall of the gallery, covering up the many "tags" that are already there and encouraging our youth to have their say with their spray cans. Blatently vulgar content will be painted over by me. I fully expect that any truly artistic murals that may be created on the walls will also likely be defaced by some of our more notorious and angry taggers!
I know that by engaging in this I will also be providing live ammunition to those in the community who feel that the solution is in exercising power and control to deal with unwanted graffiti from our youth. Sadly that stereotypes our youth as being destructive and anti social.Those who wish to control and enforce the appearance of graffiti through additional policing, expensive court appearances and punitive fines now have some extra clout and incentive to offenders in an attempt to keep graffiti away from where it is not wanted.
Providing this "graffiti wanted" zone is not a solution to the real underlying issues....
Several people have pointed out, and I agree with them, that our young teenage Caledonians have absolutely nothing in the way of free safe places to hang out in and that there are very few if any supervised activities outside of expensive sports or activities that require the payment of a fee. These kids have no income nor much money of their own to spend. Many Caledonian families are also less than well to do, especially after paying their taxes and the ever increasing utility and grocery bills. Over 10% of our families are dealing with unemployment and other issues and are unable to enroll their kids in dance, art or recreational sport activities. It is no wonder why some are expressing their anger and frustration by defacing public and private property. They simply have nowhere to go and very little to do. Is it any wonder that some will get themselves into trouble with their graphic cries for attention....?
It is a sad situation when the very part of our town that sees the most of this unwanted graffiti has so many empty buildings that could otherwise be put to some good use.
Perhaps some of the landlords of these empty commercial spaces could donate their vacant space to be used as a drop in center for our youth. I am certain that there are many adults living in our town that would be happy and willing to volunteer their time and expertice in dealing with our youth and their issues, who could provide caring and compassionate supervision and guidance if such a space was to be made available.
As one of my many artist friends recently told me, " Our kids need a place where they can feel safe and where they can "pass the feather" so they can each have their say and be heard and accepted in a world where they don't count and are for the most part disenfranchised."
This artist, by the way, has led many youth workshops and is recognized throughout Canada and the United States for her outstanding work with children. She would gladly volunteer her time to help provide some much needed social benefits to this community if such a place was to be made available.
I hope this editorial will help start a dialogue in this community that will bring about the positive changes and compassionate responses to the social circumstances that are so much in need of being addressed in our community. I welcome any response, both positive and negative with the intention to collectively reach a consensus and a workeable solution. Anyone interested in helping can feel free to contact me at the gallery where a future meeting can be held so that beneficial action can be both deliberated and innitiated.
In the meantime... please feel free to put your graffiti on the back wall of the gallery!