MPS has cancelled a class on "urban art," or graffiti, offered through the Recreation Department.
Although listed in the Fall 2010 Recreation Guide on page 35, MPS has reconsidered, with a spokesperson calling it a "bad idea."
From FOX 6 News:
Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan has been actively fighting graffiti in his district. Donovan says he heard of the class only recently, and when he called the Recreation Department to complain. He was told they were already canceling it. "They should not have offered the class in the first case. I'm glad they admit that...Number one, it's a problem and two by God...by offering a class like this, we're simply legitimizing vandalizing as far as I'm concerned."
The class is listed in the Fall Recreations Guide, which says participants will lean all the details of graffiti art. Donovan says call it what you want, it only makes his job harder. Milwaukee True Skool Executive Sarah Patterson points out the difference between graffiti, and art is simple permission.
The guide clearly defines the class as teaching "all the details of graffiti art."
"Participants will learn all the basics of handstyles, throw ups, bombs, pieces, character constructions and coloring techniques."
Some of these basics are born of graffiti as vandalism.
"Bomb" refers to "prolific painting or marking with ink, to cover an area with your tag."
"Throwups" are "'a name painted quickly with one layer of spray paint and an outline', although some consider a throwup to be bubble letters of any sort, not necessarily filled. Throwups can be from one or two letters to a whole word or a whole roll call of names. Often times throwups incorporate an exclamation mark after the word or letter. Throwups are generally only one or two colors, no more. Throwups are either quickly done bubble letters or very simple pieces using only two colors."
Another definition:
A throw-up is designed for quick execution, to avoid attracting attention to the writer. Throw-ups are often utilized by writers who wish to achieve a large number of tags while competing with rival artists. Most artists have both a tag and a throw-up that are essentially fixed compared to pieces.
"Avoid attracting attention to the writer"? "Quick execution"?
Come on.
More graffiti terminology here.
The course description didn't mention that the class would cover the "basics" regarding getting permission from property owners before executing the art form.
The class wouldn't have necessarily openly promoted vandalism but it would have discussed and taught techniques that most definitely are related to defacing property without permission.
I agree with the MPS spokesperson. This class was a bad idea. The Milwaukee Public School system should never have offered a how-to guide on graffiti. Enough taxpayer funds are spent cleaning up the vandalism. Taxpayers shouldn't be funding a class to teach graffiti techniques.
Of course, it's a terribly bad idea.
Ald. Bob Donovan isn't the enemy here. His crusade to rid his district of unsightly, ILLEGAL graffiti is a legitimate and worthy effort to benefit the community.
The cancelled MPS class on ways to damage property shouldn't be considered a victim of a political battle. Its cancellation should be considered common sense.
2 comments:
There is a difference between Graffiti and tagging. The latter consists of the unauthorized marking of public space by an individual or group. Tagging can be understood as antisocial behaviour performed in order to gain attention, mark territory or as a form of thrill seeking. Graffiti has been accepted as a form of fine art by leading creative communities world wide. Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.
2. This type of art should be accepted in Milwaukee because the art community in Milwaukee has a growing standing nationally. That standing has been hurt by this incident in a number of ways. First, I made it clear today that the revenue I had generated for the 8th District in the form of contacted print work has been diverted to companies outside of Alderman Donovan domain. Mr. Donovan wants the arts "out of my district"...I will certainly will not send money were it is not wanted. Second, it highlights the lack of, or indifference to arts education by some leadership of Milwaukee. You statements here are nothing more than a regurgitation of the incompetence coming out Donovan's mouth,
3.Again the issue here is not taggers, it's art. So the argument about tagging is off topic.
4.I want Milwaukee to generate understanding, educated and creative leaders for the future. What has been going on in Milwaukee and now MPS (and I point to Donovan as a perfect example) has failed to better Milwaukee. It is my hope that the next round of leaders in Milwaukee have "this"...this creative, think out side of the box ability so problems like MPS (who is the laughing stock of the nation's school districts), employment and growth can be resolved. It is clear that this intellect currently doe's not exist in Alderman Donovan's district nor here on this blog.
I am very aware of graffiti being considered an art form and distinctions between tagging and pieces. No need to insult me or belittle my intellect in your comment.
The problem with some in the art community is that they operate in a vacuum. They don't understand the real life consequences of the promotion of this art form by MPS for neighborhoods dealing with gang activity. Some in the Milwaukee art community don't get what it's like to find their garages and places of business vandalized. They don't live in areas plagued with crime.
The fact is the urban art class was going to teach techniques related to tagging. The course description is very clear.
Obviously, MPS realized the class offering was irresponsible.
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