Graffiti, vandalism or art - you decide
Hugo Glenwright, 14,who is doing a project on grafitti, whether it is art or vandalism as part of Portrait of a Nation. SAM EMANUEL02 October 2008 07:00To some it is a colourful expression of their lifestyle, to others it is an unsightly nuisance, but now the question of whether graffiti is vandalism or art is to be investigated by a city teenager as part of a pioneering new scheme.Hugo Glenwright, 14, a City of Norwich School pupil, who counts stencil art among his hobbies, will be interviewing members of the public next week to find out their views about graffiti.The teenager will also be talking to Bert Bremner, Norwich City Council's executive member for community safety and cohesion and local artist Fiona Roberts, who is also events manager at City Hall, to find out what they think about graffiti. The idea is part of the Norwich ID project, which aims to encourage young people to celebrate the city's heritage and identity and is part of Portrait of a Nation.The year-long programme of events and online activity that marks the first time that teenagers and young people in 18 cities across the UK, from Inverness to Brighton have been asked to discuss and share where they come from, who they are, and what it means for their future.Hugo, who lives on The Avenues in Norwich, said: “I got a leaflet at school and thought it just sounded fun. I told the council I was interested in graffiti and stencil art, and so I've been taking photos of graffiti around Norwich. “I'm going to be videoing people on the street to record their views on whether graffiti is art or vandalism, and I think it will be really interesting - it was just general wonderment that made me want to do it really. I am looking forward to it and hope it will make people think about the issue.”Figures released by Norwich City Council earlier this year show that removal of graffiti in the city cost the taxpayer almost £100,000 in the last financial year an increase of more than £20,000 on the previous 12 months.But artists like Banksy are credited with raising the profile of graffiti - as a source of art. Norfolk couple Nathan Welland, 37, and Maeve Neal, 34, put a trailer which the artist had spray painted on sale for £500,000 earlier this year, and one of his paintings sold for £288,000 in 2007.Marion Caitlin, cultural development officer at Norwich City Council, said that one of the aims of Norwich ID and Portrait of a Nation is to stimulate debate and opinion forming in young people, and for their voices to be heard. She said: “Hugo has taken up the challenge of exploring a controversial issue that interests him. As someone under voting age, he has been able to talk directly to decision makers through the project. I am looking forward to seeing his report on the Portrait of a Nation website soon.”And Graffiti artist Tony Allen, 36, added: “I think it is a very interesting issue. The main sticking point with people seems to be the materials used - if the pictures were being painted with a paintbrush no-one would bat an eyelid but because spray cans are used it takes people back to the days of things like Kilroy Woz Ere, which was just vandalism. People think spray paint and think illegal.“I think in the right place with permission that there is no problem with it, and there should be more places for people to do it.”Other events which are part of the Norwich ID project include a rap video about Norwich by local hip hop artist Michelle Hobart, 21, who is known as Neme, and Norwich on the Net, a MySpace-style site offering young people the chance to become reporters for the city through their own profile page on the Portrait of a Nation network site.