Tag Archives: Broken Window

Graffiti is often looked at from many different perspectives. This video illustrates Graffiti as either vandalism, or an art form. A local store owner, whose business is riddled with Graffiti, thinks its vandalism, while a Los Angeles Museum exhibits it as art. But these different viewpoints force us to ask whether or not Graffiti acts as a stimulus in the collapse of a community.

The question this video asks is not correct for our argument. A more pertinent question would be, how does the community view Graffiti, as art or vandalism? If Graffiti is viewed as vandalism, then it acts as the “broken window.” But, if the Graffiti is viewed as art, then it is simply art; something to be studied and scrutinized.

The fact that Graffiti is such a broad term, makes it difficult to draw a distinction. There are the obvious distinctions of vandalism, where areas are “tagged” with the Graffiti artists’ symbols and lettering. On the other hand lies a form of art, which are walls covered in beautiful portraits and designs. This website is called the “Movement of Graffiti Art” and shows some spectacular images.

The Graffitiing of a store’s riot gates puts an odd twist on how the general feeling within a community changes from day to night. Given the fact that riot gates are closed at night, if more Graffiti is visible at night, does this mean a certain area turns into a lawless wasteland when the sun goes down?  This is an extreme overstatement, but if Graffiti does act as the “broken window,” then an emergence of Graffiti may entice nocturnal crime.