Be Aware as a Responsible Citizen

This section will help you discover the answer to the following questions:

  • What is graffiti?
  • What are the different types of graffiti?
  • Who does graffiti and why?

What is Graffiti?

Graffiti is the deliberate defacing of public or private property without the owner’s permission, regardless of the instrument used to cause the damage. According to the City of Calgary Community Standards Bylaw, graffiti includes words, figures, letters, drawings or stickers applied, scribbled, scratched, etched, sprayed or attached on or to a surface. Graffiti may appear on any surface, including walls, fences, mail boxes, newspaper vending machines, signs, utility boxes, roads, sidewalks and windows.  In other words if you make markings of any kind on property that is not your own, you have created graffiti.

Graffiti is not art: it is VANDALISM – the wilful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.  Graffiti is ILLEGAL – if caught, you can face fines up to $5000 or criminal charges.

This is not your personal canvas!

Find out how this Calgary principal feels about graffiti on school property.

Types of Graffiti

Tag

This is the most basic and most common type of graffiti. A graffiti writer's tag is his or her personalized signature.

  • Tag

    This is the most basic and most common type of graffiti. A graffiti writer's tag is his or her personalized signature.

  • Bubble/Throw Up/Fill-In

    This type of graffiti is done very quickly with only two or three colours, usually sacrificing detail and style for time.

  • Piece

    This form of graffiti has a very complex design, typically requiring a long time to complete. There are fewer pieces created illegally in public places because the vandal would run the risk of being caught while making it.

  • Aerials

    This type of graffiti is done in high places, sometimes referred to as a Heaven Spot. Graffers will often try to outdo each other, seeking more dangerous or remote places to tag.

  • Freight

    Graffiti located on rail cars. Since the rail cars travel to different places, this is a way for graffers to communicate and get known throughout the country.

  • Stickers

    The graffer prepares an image or text on a sticker and applies the sticker to property that is not their own.

  • Scratchiti

    A form of graffiti in which markings are etched or scratched into hard surfaces.

  • Stencil

    Graffiti created using a stencil in order to create an image or text that is easily reproducible.

Be Aware – Is graffiti a problem in your community?
Think Challenge #1

Although graffiti is more common in certain areas of the city, it exists everywhere.  Your challenge is to become more aware of the types of graffiti in your community by embarking on a photo scavenger hunt. 

Explore your local community to see if you can find an example of each type of graffiti mentioned in this section.  Take notes outlining what is the most common type of graffiti in the area and where it most commonly occurs.  Suggest some reasons why you think the graffiti exists where it does and who you think might be applying the graffiti.  Organize your findings in a multimedia presentation that you can share with your classmates.

Do you know what graffiti is or is NOT? Try this activity to challenge your knowledge!

Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – The student did not have permission and the desk is not his or her property. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – The person did not have permission and the bridge is not his or her property. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – Stickers and flyers posted to light standards are considered graffiti at the person who put them up did not have permission and the light standard is not his or her property. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – Writing on bathroom stalls damages property and the person did not have permission Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! NO – The artists have permission to display their art in galleries and people make the choice to enter the art gallery and view the artwork. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! MAYBE – Murals are done with permission from the property owner. However, if other citizens find the mural offensive in any way and complain to the City, they may be asked to remove it. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! MAYBE – The student may have scribbled on her own binder or given someone permission to do so. In this case, it would not be graffiti. However, if it is offensive or if someone else scribbled on his binder without his permission, it would be considered graffiti. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – This damages City property and was done without permission. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! MAYBE – Assuming the owner of the garage painted his own garage door, it is his property therefore he has permission. However, if neighbours or other citizens find it offensive and complain to the City, he may be asked remove it. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! YES – The library book does not belong to the person who borrows it therefore this person has ruined someone else’s property. Is this graffiti? – Go to the next slide to find out! NO – The person painted this picture on his own property or had permission from his parents. In addition, it is not in public view and therefore could not offend anyone unless they choose to enter the room.

Who is applying graffiti in Calgary and why?

Common reasons for doing graffiti:

  1. Thrill-seeking: People do it for the thrill they get knowing it’s against the law and they could get caught.
  2. Risk-taking: Doing graffiti at night and in high places like bridges gives graffers a rush.  Placing this aerial graffiti makes it visible to more people.
  3. Belonging to a Group: Some people who don’t have many friends might do graffiti to impress others and to fit into a group.
  4. Rebellion: Kids who may have difficulties at school or at home sometimes rebel.
  5. Marking Territory: Gang members use graffiti to mark their territory and to intimidate members of competing gangs.

According to the Calgary Police Service, less than about 10% of graffiti in Calgary is gang related.  Most graffiti is done by males between the ages of 12 – 30.  Contrary to what some may believe, the motivation of most graffers it the destruction of property, not the search for an artistic outlet. 

Evolution of a Graffer

Beginner Evolution Graffer, graffiti in paperbook

Beginners select a tag name and practice writing their tag over and over.  They write on their books and binders and may begin tagging in the community.  They are always prepared with markers and spray paint so they can tag if an opportunity presents itself.

Risks to Beginners
Beginners may start to be distracted in school because they are practicing their tags.
They are starting to break the law by tagging on other people’s property or even stealing markers and paint.

Developing Evolution Graffer, Young adult male spraying paint on door

Developing taggers have created a unique style and often start a graffiti practice book.  They start associating with other taggers and may form or join a tagging crew.  They will tag more often and in more difficult places.  They will go out late at night for the sole purpose of tagging.

Risks to Developing Taggers
Developing taggers may start to skip school and sneak out of their homes late at night to do graffiti with a tagging crew or group.

They put themselves in danger by being out in the middle of the night.

They are breaking the law more frequently and taking more serious physical risks by tagging in difficult places.

Practiced Evolution Graffer, Young adult male, jumping over fence

Practiced taggers will have a very elaborate graffiti style and have all the necessary graffiti tools.  They will look for highly visible locations to showcase their work.  They will carry a camera to photograph their graffiti.

Risks to Practiced Taggers
Practiced taggers continue to break the law on a regular basis, including stealing graffiti supplies.

They are becoming less involved with school as the association with the tagging crew becomes more important.

Due to the amount of time spent on their elaborate work, there is a risk to their health from the toxins in the paint.

As their need for recognition grows, they put themselves in more dangerous situations in order to apply graffiti and gain recognition.

It is possible they may now be participating in other illegal or dangerous activities such as drinking, smoking, drug use or gang related activities.

 

Is your child a tagger

Is someone you know a tagger?

Click on the right image for clues that might let you know if someone is a tagger.

If you think one of your friends is involved in graffiti activity call Crime Stoppers. 1-800-222-TIPS to report an anonymous tip.

 

Be Aware – What are the risks and consequences of tagging?
Think Challenge #2

Imaging that you are a fourteen year old graffer who has been caught vandalizing a park bench.  Your parents have had to pay a large fine because of your actions. As part of your consequences, you have to get a part time job in order to pay back your parents.  This means no more after school activities and you have to work every Saturday as well.  Your teachers are aware of what has happened and so is everyone in your classes at school.

Create a journal or video diary beginning with the day you were caught.  Record at least 5 entries.  Consider all of the following as you share your reflections over the week that follows:

How did you start doing graffiti and why?  How did you get caught?  How has this affected your family?  Who else has it affected?  How has this affected your day to day life?  Would you change anything?  Have your feelings changed about doing graffiti?  Are there others that you know that are still doing graffiti?  What would you tell them?  Are your parents, teachers or classmates treating you differently?  Have the costs of doing graffiti been worth it? Do you consider yourself an artist?  If so, what are some other ways you could present your artwork?

True or False?

Let’s see what you’ve learned! For each of the following statements, determine if it's TRUE or FALSE, then rollover it to see the answer.