Barry McGee’s Graffiti Wall

This past week I saw a picture of this wall. I instantly LOVED it and knew I needed to find it and have a photo op. It is amazing how graffiti, which is usually destructive, has become a beautiful art piece.

This wall (Deitch Wall), found on East Houston Street and Bowery, has feature multiple murals by famous artists. This mural was created by Barry McGee (aka “TWIST”) and Josh Lazcano (aka “AMAZE”), who spray painted simple red tags of the names and crews of graffiti writers from both past and present generations.

It is interesting because this work of art
begs the ever so famous question
that I studied so profusely in college:
"What is Art?"

Although this artwork features and honors the tags of graffiti artist's, it was sad to see how since the murals creation how this wall has been subject to other graffiti. When I saw this, it made me sad...but why? The wall was a giant wall of graffiti, so why would additional graffiti ruin it?

I always thought graffiti was pretty. It is nice to see an art piece which depicts its beauty.