Is graffiti art or vandalism? This question has been troubling many people, from art critics to galleries, auction houses, and collectors. There is still no easy answer, especially after the rise of such figures as Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Banksy.
Indeed, street art can be interpreted in different ways. One person may see a tag sprayed on a shuttered storefront as a property crime, while another may recognize a signature, a form of self-expression, or a cry of frustration. The disagreement often lies in who decides what the city’s exterior looks like.
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