Well, it is clear from the response that most people, when forced to choose between art or vandalism, see the illegal nature of graffiti well before the art that some of it truly does possess.
I deliberately withheld my opinion from the discussion, and was pleased to see that a number of people could see past the the illegal aspect and recognize the talent needed to create an image of this size and quality.
I’m not sure how many took the time to enlarge the original image, so I have provided a couple of closeup shots so that you can see some of the thought that went into creating this very unusual car.
When does vandalizing railroad cars cross over into the realm of art??
Here are some of my thoughts:
when it uses more than two colors
when it includes more than “a tag”
when it is a group effort
when it does not contain profanity
when it trys to convey a message, even if we don’t always understand it
when care is taken not to obscure reporting marks
WARNING!
This topic will be filled with emotional responses, PLEASE respect the opinions of other’s in making yours, and have fun!!!
How about if I stop by your place and create some “art” across your garage door or on the side of your car? [;)]
The artistic merits of the work have NOTHING to do with whether or not it is vandalism. It could be a freaking Van Gough, but if it was painted on someone else’s property without their permission it is vandalism.
If I caught someone doing it on my property, I’d go to get my gun. [:(!]
(If I had one…) [:P]
P.S. Guess you decided it was a nice afternoon for a little trolling, huh? [(-D]
I have conceded the issue of vandalism, I’m really asking about this particular image. Look closely.
Perhaps these vandals don’t view a railroad car as “presonal property” and don’t give it the same respect as if it belonged to an individual. Do their actions truly DAMAGE the car, or simply deface it, or perhaps embellish it?
I’m not looking to start a fight, just some intellectual discussion. When I started the Busted!! topic, I had no idea that it would turn nasty, and that was never the intent. I admit it did turn quite nasty when I caused ACL to blow a gasket, but I wasn’t “trolling” prior to that.
I must admit that I didn’t take notice of just what that graffiti actually was until now. However, it is still vandalism, no matter how nice it may look!
I have seen some truly wonderful art on train cars along with a lot of tagging. It’s too bad that some of the artist-vandals couldn’t work with the railroads to possibly submit a proposed idea and get to paint a car with the railroads permission. Unfortunatly even it they did that someone else would probably tag it!
I think you know I’m just giving you a little good natured ribbing. A little trolling never hurt anyone, and at times in the past have been accused of being one myself. I kind of stopped doing that though… I got tired of having to find new boards all the time!! [swg]
Seriously… although I think some of the pieces DO have artistic merit, there are many ways the creativity could be expressed without resorting to vandalism. It really is kind of a self-centered act – kind of like “You ARE going to see my artwork whether you want to or not!” I really think it says more about the tagger’s desire for attention than anything else.
Thanks guys, see it is possible to have a nice polite intellectual discussion even on a topic like this. This follow up was was planned from the beginning, and there is one more level after this, which will tie it all together.
I do know how to sidestep potential conflict when it arrises.[;)]
By the way, did anyone notice that there was a new response to the original topic?
Seems we have a new member who is actually a reformed “Railroad Artist” and goes by the name xstyle. Check out his stuff!!
totally agree.
this is uncommissioned work by an artist on a private (stolen?) canvas… looks like a one yr tribute, where was this photo taken? interestingly, it’s on CPRail. artistic vandalism
Ah yes, where WAS it taken??? Krump, good buddy, you’ve been away for a few days, and missed all of the excitement. Where else, but at my favorite hot spot, called Dayton’s Bluff, just east of downtown ST Paul. Its a long story, and one that is not recommended for all audiences, but you can find the details over on the topic called Busted!!![:p]
Just be careful opening it, all kinds of crap flies out of there!![}:)][banghead][banghead][banghead][:-,][(-D][(-D][(-D]
Interesting idea, I suspect the people at the yard office would refer you to corperate HQ, and by the time you got an answer, the car you asked to paint would have been retired.[:p] These guys do manage to cut through all of the red tape.[:)]
Hey Big_Boy_4005, I did catch up on the “Busted” topic, but I never connected these two topics until now. I’m glad things were easily resolved with the railyard police, but if need be, I would have written a letter supporting your release to “parole”[tup][C):-)]… I have contacts in Michigan Courts and throughout Canada[:D], but not sure about Minnesota??? a letter from BC wouldn’t mean much there, sorry.[:(]
perhaps you’d be interested in modelling CON-RAIL or PENN STATE [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]like the scene that I’m developing behind the Courthouse, Police Station, jail, and graffiti filled rail cars…[^]
