The debate will rage, is graffiti on the wall art or is it a crime. I myself love to see walls covered in krylon spray paint, as long as it is done up nicely. What bothers me is when I see these street masterpieces and people will spray paint over it with their tags, or something vulgar.
Apparently in Toronto, shop keepers can be charged if they do not clean up the walls if they have been spray painted or as some may say "Vandalized". It can go anywhere from three to ten thousand bucks to be removed...these is back alley wall for the most part. Walk down the alley ways behind Queen street in Toronto and they are covered, some shop owners have allowed it. Now if this was on the wall... would they raise a stink or what?
I am on the fence with this one, I love the big colorful projects in most of the alley ways of down town Toronto. I do not like when someone sprays "FUCK YOU" on say A Bus Shelter.
If you were to eliminate the good and at times the visually stunning graffiti in the alleys ways, you would just have a nasty looking alley way. The pieces they have created on the backs of stores are incredible.
What I do not agree with is spray painting up some ones store front.
I also do not agree with Toronto's oh so well loved mayor Rob Ford telling store owners they have to remove it or receive a fine. I do not agree with that at all...
From my personal collection, this was on the side of a building near the grocery store I shopped at. I can understand frustrations, maybe you don't want this on the side of the building. Maybe we could have a dedicated area for street art like the do with skateboarding? Don't get me wrong I love seeing graffiti on the walls... but I think some compromising needs to happen. I do know some store commission artists to paint a store front or even inside, that is a step in right direction.