NEW TPO 8 Some cities have responded to a debate about graffiti by

[00:00.00][00:00.20] Listen to a talk on an art podcast.
[00:01.00][00:04.57] Graffiti are writings and drawings created by private citizens in public places, like on walls.
[00:02.00][00:12.05]Graffiti have long been a controversial form of expression.
[00:03.00][00:15.69]They originated as a form of protest and rebellion in ancient civilizations, for example in ancient Rome.
[00:04.00][00:23.49]Modern graffiti originally gained popularity in the 1970s in New York City, where artists began to create increasingly elaborate writings and other designs on the walls of subway stations and on subway trains.
[00:05.00][00:38.52]As in ancient times, these graffiti often carried social and political messages, with artists using public spaces for commenting on issues like inequality and injustice.
[00:06.00][00:50.25]There’s debate about whether graffiti are legitimate art or simply vandalism. They're said to deface property, and they’re typically illegal.
[00:07.00][00:58.25]Some argue, however, that graffiti are a powerful means of self-expression and community dialogue.
[00:08.00][01:04.93]Highly skilled graffiti artists have been especially successful in elevating the perception of graffiti from street vandalism to recognized art.
[00:09.00][01:15.11]The British artist known as Banksy, for example, has become a true celebrity, with his graffiti artworks getting sold for millions of dollars, with whole building walls being removed and transported to museums or private collections.
[00:10.00][01:31.23]For something like this, you need specialized cranes and trucks, and yet the buyers aren’t deterred!
[00:11.00][01:38.15]W-Br: Of course, not all graffiti are equally sophisticated, so the debate continues. Some cities have designated specific areas for artists to work legally, which has reduced the tension between creativity and law.