Can Graffiti Be Art ?

New Vallejo Business Causes Stir

By Marc Garman

12/19/08

Business owner Mario Cruz was never contacted by the Vallejo Times Herald when they did an article about his business.  Actually, the doors of the Graff House Art Supply Store are not scheduled to open until February of 2009.  Cruz says his business will cater to muralists and other artists who work in a graffiti influenced style -- not taggers intent on destruction of public or private property.  The store will feature high end --$10 a can-- spray paint imported from Spain intended for high end work.  Is Cruz a rogue intent on destruction? or a victim of a Times Herald mugging?

Watch and decide.  And be sure to see our upcoming video about the Gallery show at 531 Gallery on Georgia street featuring the graffiti influenced work of world renowned artist AKAYO.

 Perhaps the difference between between vandalism and art is permission.

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anon2   |December.20.2008 I saw a Spray paint graffiti style mural on one of the mainstreets in Petaluma. It was actually a very cool mural and stayed for quite some time and is still there. It's time the Vallejo & Solano Co catch up with the rest of the wold.

armyoftherich   |December.19.2008 Marc, you know I'm a big fan of your site, but, I don't think you can convince anyone with any degree of certainty that the paint will be used for 'proper' or 'improper' purposes. The business is called GRAFF house. Clearly, they are marketing to people who see themselves as graffitti artists. From an economic perspective I don't think the 13 year old taggers will buy the nine dollar cans. But the serious graffitti artists will. I personally like some of the graffitti (like the Mac Dre tribute and the virgin mary on the water tower) but not everyone does. ANd of course, part of the thrill of graffitti is that it's forbidden.

Al Ballard   |December.19.2008 10 Bucks for spray paint?? A JOKE This fine operation wont last 60 days...ONLY the LANDLORD WINS!!! What kind of goodies are really for sale??? Al Ballard awwmc

anon   |December.19.2008 Marc should include a follow up interview with Francisco Castillo

VHS   |December.19.2008 Ive thought a lot about urban art over the last year and its lead me to question my own preconceived notions about how the world around us should look. For example, all of the PGE utility cabinets, telephone equipment monuments, mail boxes etc we are surrounded by are painted a solid drab color. When I see one of the monuments tagged with urban art my immediate reaction is rage but then again I ask myself if perhaps the young people are trying to tell us something. I know this is pretty far out there but I question whether young people might be trying to brighten up the world around us. Do they see these drab monuments as ridiculous when they could be bright and pleasing to look at? Maybe we should listen more closely to young people; they might have something to teach us.

Ken   |December.19.2008 Marc, nice work but I wish you would have asked him if his high end paint could be identified from the low end paint from Walmart if it was used to tag. I am sure this store has made Miss Gomes nervous since she has worked so hard to reduce this problem in town.

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