I was crossing the quad today when I stumbled across this little gem, and my gut reaction was one of disgust. I've never liked pointless graffiti, as I feel it does a disservice to a medium that can have so much power when used well. My second thought was one that approached shame. Surely I don't support rape in my opposition to this tag?
No, but the tag is moronic nonetheless.
Good graffiti, like good art (more specifically, which is good art), should introduce the viewer to a topic that they were unaware of, and make them care about it, or should present something known in a unique way. Who supports rape? Rape is not something that is mandated by the state, nor it is a cultural norm. Then why graffiti to oppose it? Why draw the attention of passersby to an issue that they, in all likelihood, already oppose? There isn't even a website or way to contact or see more information from whoever put this on the sidewalk, making it even more useless.
In closing, keep your paint off of my quad.
"If a woman looks like your ex-girlfriend you're still hung up on, don't rape her."
ReplyDeleteSome simple guidelines to not raping womens:
http://tuxmann.blogspot.com/2006/02/dont-rape-her.html
You obviously take graffiti very seriously, but I think you're missing the point. This person obviously did not intend for their graffiti to be artistic; they used black paint and a stencil, not the myriad colors or intricate stylization that you expect from the masters of the craft. All they were doing is spreading a message, and they chose two very direct words to do it.
ReplyDelete"End rape" doesn't need a website; you admit that rape is something that is already understood, so more information is unnecessary. The point is that despite the population's seemingly universal revulsion of rape, it still happens with alarming frequency. This graffiti is commanding you to try and make a difference instead of quietly frowning. Often, graffiti will not deal with issues that are widely supported. Instead, it will attempt to incite action in groups that are already unified through a shared belief.