el paso lifestyle
the a's have it
By Abril Carranza & Angelica Ramirez
Picture yourself walking downtown. You see a worn out building—one side has a detailed array of figures using an extensive amount of vibrant colors. You continue walking further down, and on the adjacent wall you see a dull cluster of names, symbols and random words. Which one would you appreciate more?
The prevailing controversy between the differentiation of street art and tagging is a frequent topic throughout El Paso. It is common to see the public generalize graffiti as crime. However, the vast differences of street art and tagging show the true contrast between the two. Street art is a form of culture, it portrays a deeper meaning while allowing the artist to express a passion. Street art even lets the person behind the brush express a hidden emotion on a vacant canvas. Street art is a clean version of graffiti, it depicts a message—whether the message be political, economical, satirical, or social. While on the other hand, street tagging is an offensive form of graffiti. Street tagging is plain and vulgar and does not give people much to look at. Street tagging is deemed as offensive due to its association with gangs and marking territory. With the increasing popularity of street art and tagging in El Paso, laws aimed at such should be reformed.
Currently, the El Paso laws regarding graffiti are generally outdated in that they don’t distinguish between the two forms of graffiti—street art and tagging. This means that street art is frequently covered up. This has a negative outcome for the artist that created it. Street artists go through many obstacles to attain a specific creative vision—a wall, supplies, and time.It is understandable that authorities can only do so much to individualize the differences between street art and tagging, but with the proper education on the subject, a future with more street art and less tagging is possible.
How do we as a community promote street art, you say? A feasible solution in aiding the general public to recognize high quality art is to start attending art events. El Paso offers multiple events, organizations, and locations that promote local artists everywhere. Chalk the Block, The Rock House, and the Urban Art-Fitters League of El Paso are some of the many supporters of true street art. By going to these places or advocating for these organizations you are encouraging local artists and their creations. You may not be aware of the amount of encouragement you are contributing, but every participant helps the local art cause by a significant amount. Through familiarizing with such, federal laws can make a reform more viable.
So now close your eyes, (or keep them open because you need to read the rest of this article) picture yourself in a world with a detailed array of figures using an extensive amount of vibrant colors—again, and ask yourself, do I want to continue encountering that aesthetically pleasing wall? As Banksy, a renowned street artist puts, “A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.”
Picture yourself walking downtown. You see a worn out building—one side has a detailed array of figures using an extensive amount of vibrant colors. You continue walking further down, and on the adjacent wall you see a dull cluster of names, symbols and random words. Which one would you appreciate more?
The prevailing controversy between the differentiation of street art and tagging is a frequent topic throughout El Paso. It is common to see the public generalize graffiti as crime. However, the vast differences of street art and tagging show the true contrast between the two. Street art is a form of culture, it portrays a deeper meaning while allowing the artist to express a passion. Street art even lets the person behind the brush express a hidden emotion on a vacant canvas. Street art is a clean version of graffiti, it depicts a message—whether the message be political, economical, satirical, or social. While on the other hand, street tagging is an offensive form of graffiti. Street tagging is plain and vulgar and does not give people much to look at. Street tagging is deemed as offensive due to its association with gangs and marking territory. With the increasing popularity of street art and tagging in El Paso, laws aimed at such should be reformed.
Currently, the El Paso laws regarding graffiti are generally outdated in that they don’t distinguish between the two forms of graffiti—street art and tagging. This means that street art is frequently covered up. This has a negative outcome for the artist that created it. Street artists go through many obstacles to attain a specific creative vision—a wall, supplies, and time.It is understandable that authorities can only do so much to individualize the differences between street art and tagging, but with the proper education on the subject, a future with more street art and less tagging is possible.
How do we as a community promote street art, you say? A feasible solution in aiding the general public to recognize high quality art is to start attending art events. El Paso offers multiple events, organizations, and locations that promote local artists everywhere. Chalk the Block, The Rock House, and the Urban Art-Fitters League of El Paso are some of the many supporters of true street art. By going to these places or advocating for these organizations you are encouraging local artists and their creations. You may not be aware of the amount of encouragement you are contributing, but every participant helps the local art cause by a significant amount. Through familiarizing with such, federal laws can make a reform more viable.
So now close your eyes, (or keep them open because you need to read the rest of this article) picture yourself in a world with a detailed array of figures using an extensive amount of vibrant colors—again, and ask yourself, do I want to continue encountering that aesthetically pleasing wall? As Banksy, a renowned street artist puts, “A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.”