Oakland graffiti straddles line between art and vandalism

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jun 20, 2009 | by Angela Woodall

Oakland spends well over $500,000 every year on removing graffiti -- from gang tags to elaborate frescoes covering any surface flat enough to coat with spray paint.

Even modern street masterpieces get removed if the work hasn't been approved by the city or property owners, a policy that costs $10,000 a month for solvents and paint.

If the graffiti isn't sanctioned, "it will be abated," said Hayward Blake, a member of the "Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful" division, which is run through the public works department. He spoke at a Friday evening gathering meant to bring together graffiti artists, city officials and residents.

The event was organized by Oakland photographer Sean Henry to find a solution that would benefit the city and protect valued graffiti art. "There can be a meeting of minds," Henry said.

The conflict over whether graffiti is public art or property damage dates back decades. And the question still hasn't been resolved even though graffiti has made its way to museums and high- end galleries around the world.

Oakland was no exception to the "graffiti is blight" mindset made famous by former New York Mayors Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani.

"It's always been a struggle in Oakland," said "Krash," who was a member of one of the original graffiti crews in this city, the Devils of Graffiti (which morphed into the Bomb Squad Kings and then TDK).

Even when artists get permission to put up graffiti murals to prevent tagging, city officials have either blocked the work or removed it, Krash said.

If the artists were painting with brushes instead of spray paint, the graffiti wouldn't be an issue, he told the crowd.

"You're probably right," Blake responded. "Politically, graffiti is a hot ticket."

He suggested calling the "Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful" division to register graffiti that is sanctioned. The question is how to create a citywide policy that will please the diverse population of Oakland.

Henry and other supporters draw the line at what graffiti should be protected according to who put it up and for what purpose.

Tags that mark gang identity, territory or drug dealing are not art, according to Henry, and he has no objection to the tags being removed.

"People get killed over that kind of stuff," he said.

But he has documented hundreds of examples of Oakland graffiti that he considers worth protecting. "I'm not looking for the ultimate solution. I'm just looking for a better solution," Henry said.

Spending more than a half-million dollars during a slash-and- burn budget crisis was not a solution supported by Oakland resident Novia Sanders. "Couldn't that money be saved instead of covering up good art?"

The Graffiti Abatement division of the public works department can be reached at 510-615-5566.

To notify the department of sanctioned graffiti, call Arthur Watson at 510-434-5112 or Frank Foster at 510-434-5109.

Reach Angela Woodall at 510-208-6413 or awoodall@bayareanewsgroup.com.