American Graffiti

That's not art, it's vandalism!

 

Richie

No matter what way you look at it (vandalism or not) That is art some folks just can't afford canvas

I know it is the real world today, but in my model railroad world it has not occurred.

 

Art

If they can afford the paint, they can afford the canvas.

Rusty

I did not see any art. The only thing I saw was destruction of public property. It is a criminal act, plain and simple.

How disappointing. When I saw the topic I thought it would be about my favorite movie, "American Graffiti."

 

 

If someone wants to model defaced cars on their miniature empires that's their call. I would prefer depicting a more orderly world whose residents may not be smart or good looking, but are well behaved. Oh all right, maybe a small scene with Andy Taylor giving some graffiti "artist" a stern lecture.

 

Shifting gears slightly. Anyone have models of the "American Graffiti" autos on their layout? The Steve's white '58 Impala, Falfa's '55 Chevy, Milner's hot rod or the dream girl's T-bird? Perhaps Toad's Vespa or even Laurie's Edsel?

Q: Why did these "artists" hide their work in a railroad tunnel ?

A:  Because it they did it in public they would be arrested!

Q:  But if nobody but the occasional trespassing railfan can see it, what's the point?

Me too. I thought this was about the movie. I don't have any of the cars in 1:43 scale. I didn't know they were available but I have the '32 Coupe and the '55 Chevy in 1/18th scale. I've always kicked myself for missing out on Ron Howard's '58 Chevy.

How true.  The sad thing, IMHO, is that a lot of these artists could probably make a living at it by going the "canvas route."

 

Andy

Andy, get back to work, lunch is over.

 

Jack

This debate has come up many times before, some say it's art and others say vandalism.  I am in the camp of vandalism. 

Wow, some of that is beautiful.  

It is art, but misplaced. This is a subculture of artists that do it for the thrill and to satisfy their egos. There was a special on TV several years ago about graffiti artists in places like New York and other larger cities. The documentary followed a particular artist whose tag was SEEN. His canvas was mostly subway cars. He mentioned that the thrill comes from doing something in public, and not getting caught.

My son has a friend who was in a group of artists who painted all over. The group was caught and fined. They were later hired by the city of Wilkes-Barre to paint murals on several buildings. He painted a cylindrical hopper for my youngest son a few years ago. 

Don

What makes you think they paid for the paint?

Most of it is tagging, and tagging is not art.

 

Thought someone had something to say about the movie. Remember when Curt (?) hooked the cable to the rear axle of the cop car; there was train noise in the background ... like an EMD non-turbo unit switching back and forth?

I only saw bits and pieces of the movie, and don't remember much, except for the chain on the axle.
Don

After that he was offered a membership to become a Pharoah. I think the car lot was "Jerry's Cherries."