Topic: Graffiti

[mickeynotmouse]

Well... What can I say?  Some people think the law just doesn't apply to them. And usually, it doesn't matter to me. BUT, in this case, us traceurs are being given a bad image with all this graffiti crap. Just take a look at this comment:

[Fecteau]

Some graffiti is insane bro. I think it's an art. I also think you should ask the owner of a building to do it first.

Also, how the hell do you carry paint cans without it interfering in a roll?

[Ashley McCauley]

I do believe that gives the parkour community a bad image if those who do graffiti use parkour to do it. It's different if they are using parkour to say take a picture of a piece but not creating one. I agree with that comment to a certain point, yes I believe graffiti is art, but it is also a crime and vandalism. Being a traceuse (or traceur), at least to me, is to not do this kind of thing, because it goes against the purpose of leaving no trace that you were there. And if we are disrespectful to the buildings we train on, whether we break something or vandalize it, it will no longer be a training spot.

I feel like I'm not making any sense.

[Stevie Leifheit]

I do believe that gives the parkour community a bad image if those who do graffiti use parkour to do it. It's different if they are using parkour to say take a picture of a piece but not creating one. I agree with that comment to a certain point, yes I believe graffiti is art, but it is also a crime and vandalism. Being a traceuse (or traceur), at least to me, is to not do this kind of thing, because it goes against the purpose of leaving no trace that you were there. And if we are disrespectful to the buildings we train on, whether we break something or vandalize it, it will no longer be a training spot.

I feel like I'm not making any sense.

No it made perfect sense Ashy. I completely agree with you.

[mickeynotmouse]

To the people who say "Graffiti is an art":


I say vandalism is vandalism no matter what, and it's okay if you want to spraypaint a wall, but only if you own it. If not... Again, it's just vandalism and you have no right to tag something that belongs to someone else.

[Ashley McCauley]

Some graffiti is insane bro. I think it's an art. I also think you should ask the owner of a building to do it first.

Also, how the hell do you carry paint cans without it interfering in a roll?

Does that matter Fect? It's still crime.

No it made perfect sense Ashy. I completely agree with you.

Thanks.

To the people who say "Graffiti is an art":


I say vandalism is vandalism no matter what, and it's okay if you want to spraypaint a wall, but only if you own it. If not... Again, it's just vandalism and you have no right to tag something that belongs to someone else.

I agree with you. I say do graffiti on something you own, a wall, a notebook, your garage, or a city ordained legal wall. But if you do it illegally it makes it a crime, and as you say vandalism is vandalism and that is also correct.

But I still believe it's art. Because the writers who do create the pieces are artistically gifted. It takes a lot of practice and failures to get to where they are.

[Scott Berson]

I dislike graffiti if it's tagging or if its on private property. If it's on an advertisement that is in a public area, that you are not given a choice to see or not...then I completely condone modifications to that advertisement.

That's my stance on graffiti.

I also wouldn't completely relate climbing/"buildering" to parkour...

[S Leger]

I agree with Fecteau that Graffiti looks awesome and that it is art.  However, I also agree with Ashley that it's still vandalism.  However, the rebel in me favors graffiti over the fact that it's vandalism.  I don't do graffiti or other things that break the law, but if I was going to break the law and I wanted to do it stylishly, then I'd go with graffiti.

[Ashley McCauley]

I agree with Fecteau that Graffiti looks awesome and that it is art.  However, I also agree with Ashley that it's still vandalism.  However, the rebel in me favors graffiti over the fact that it's vandalism.  I don't do graffiti or other things that break the law, but if I was going to break the law and I wanted to do it stylishly, then I'd go with graffiti.

Some of my thoughts in that post.

[Josh Boggs]

Didn't read any other posts besides OP, but even though graffiti is wrong, some seem to think of it the same way we think about parkour. Its a hobby, an art. You know? And non-traceurs might think WE'RE wrong for doing what we do.

[Stevie Leifheit]

Didn't read any other posts besides OP, but even though graffiti is wrong, some seem to think of it the same way we think about parkour. Its a hobby, an art. You know? And non-traceurs might think WE'RE wrong for doing what we do.

Well I have to say that we have a 1-up on the non-traceurs because what we do isn't illegal.

[Dan Elric]

Parkour helps graffiti artists in the same way art classes help graffiti artists.

[mickeynotmouse]

Well I have to say that we have a 1-up on the non-traceurs because what we do isn't illegal.

EXACTLY.

[Dan Elric]

Well I have to say that we have a 1-up on the non-traceurs because what we do isn't illegal.

It's not illegal to move, but it is illegal to trespass.

[dotCA]

Well I have to say that we have a 1-up on the non-traceurs because what we do isn't illegal.

Do you only train on your own property ?

I know I don't..

[Stevie Leifheit]

Do you only train on your own property ?

I know I don't..

I train on my property and public property. If I want to go on someones private property I ASK PERMISSION. As long as the tag artist ask permission (and get it) I am 100% ok with what they do. But for some reason I have a feeling that they dont. And that sometimes might be part of the thrill.

[mickeynotmouse]

Do you only train on your own property ?

I know I don't..

But do you trespass?  If so, what you've been doing is wrong and you should stop right away so you don't soil the image of parkour any further.

[David Jones]

Well if they don't associate their Parkour training with their tagging, then whats the problem. Parkour is just the training mathod. If they are running away from the police, they are running away from the police. Not doing Parkour. And as far as I'm concerned, if someone who is tagging is running away from a cop, the last thing the cop will think is "Oh yeah, he's doing Parkour!"

To anyone who does Parkour and tags: When your tagging, never bring up the word PARKOUR*. If you ever try to run away and get caught by the police, DON'T MENTION ONE SINGLE WORD OF PARKOUR*.

If you apply to those two rules, then your fine in my book.

-David

*Same goes for any variation of the discipline, Freerunning/ADD/Freestyle Parkour lol/etc.

[Josh Boggs]

Well I have to say that we have a 1-up on the non-traceurs because what we do isn't illegal.

Never said it was illegal 

[hfksla]

If you think graffiti is so great, why don't I tag your house up and see if your opinion changes.
Vandalism is vandalism, if a lot of people do this, more bad looks for parkour.
Instead of "hey, look at those traceurs doing parkour and training"
it'll be
"shit, look at those guys... they must be about to go steal/tag something.
unfortunately, we cant do anything about what people decide to do
David I agree with you, but if parkour continues to grow in popularity (which it looks like it will) and people start recognizing parkour. it could have a negative outlook