Yes, but is it Art?

The Girl asked today if graffiti is Art. As in, if you sprayed it on the walls of your own house could you keep it because you were just expressing yourself artistically, or would the police make you clean it off?

Here is some decorative faux graffiti on the side of a trendy boutique in Crossgates Mall. I expect someone got paid for that. The people of Linton should be more grateful to their local graffiti artists for selflessly adding designer flair to the village at no cost to house-holders.

Up at school yesterday I was admiring the artwork displayed in the corridors. The 8th graders have been studying the use of text in their art lessons, and have created little boxes adorned with words of homespun wisdom. Many expressed saccharine sentiments along the lines of 'If you die before me, ask if you can take a friend.' But my favourite read:

Before you criticise someone, first walk a mile in their shoes. That way you'll be a mile away from them and you'll have their shoes.