In Sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art and vandalism

On a wet day at the end of July, under a blazing sun, tags, graffiti and walls line the city center of Sherbrooke. Similarly, This “open -air art gallery” breathes artistic creativity and aerosol painting. In addition,

“There is a need for several people to express themselves not the means of painting. Similarly, and to do it on walls,” explains Nathalie Fortin, vocational leisure agent in the city of Sherbrooke. Nevertheless,

Since 2012. However, the city has taken the initiative to supervise the practice of graffiti by offering graffiti artists authorized walls, where they are welcome to affix their talent. However, everything is not allowed. Furthermore,

Practice (he) legality – Sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art

The tag is a form of vandalism which consists of a signature. Furthermore, a pseudonym carried out in sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art a hurry, often rudimentary and a single color. Additionally, Furthermore, Its intention is to mark its territory.

Graffiti is a form of urban art which can be practiced legally. Moreover, and which encompasses more complex graphic representations combining different calligraphies, shapes and colors. Consequently,

“The graffiti made on unauthorized surfaces can cause significant damage during cleaning. and sometimes require repairs to the affected building. These acts are therefore considered to be misdeeds within the meaning sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art of the Criminal Code. “said the police of the police service in the city of Sherbrooke, Benoit Pellerin.

Offenders are exposed to sentences that can go as far as imprisonment and fines of $ 2,000 for a second offense.

Charles Goupil. foreman at the building in the city of Sherbrooke, is head of the team mandated to remove the tags and graffiti from public surfaces. For them. there is no difference to do if it is a simple tag or an elaborate artistic graffiti; If the place is not allowed, it is illegal.

Mr. Goupil maintains that when it comes to a message of a political. racist or otherwise controversial nature, his withdrawal is prioritized.

The sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art team leader explains that the efficiency. speed of withdrawal depend on many factors, ranging from the type of paint used, the longevity of exposure to the sun to the damaged surface equipment.

Why authorized walls?

“The idea is to try to raise awareness of the common good. not to do things in the wrong place and rather concentrate productions in areas where they are allowed,” says Nathalie Fortin.

The vocational agent in leisure explains that. often, authorized areas are places already appreciated and used by groups of graffiti artists. If the location is not dangerous. the surface will be cleaned, weeded and repainted at regular intervals to allow a roll of the works.

“You have to go sparingly. you cannot legalize everything either, but there are certain places that are tolerated, knowing that, anyway, people will always go there,” she sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art explains.

This harm reduction approach includes several facets. such as the presence of “field stakeholders” which make known the existence of legal walls, as well as activities with young people and mentors to initiate them to graffiti.

What do artists think

Having grown up in the world of hip-hop. rap and breakdance, the cradle of graffiti, Alex (pseudonym) quickly identified with this form of artistic expression that is painting on wall. Twenty years later, the Sherbrookois is a renowned international graffiti artist and muralist.

“Graffiti was born illegally, and its essence is too,” says the artist. It is a question of “bypassing the rules, of being outside what society wants”.

Even if he admits that his illegal practice is almost zero today. he is of the opinion that “if you have never made tags or illegal sherbrooke, graffiti oscillates between art graffiti in all your life, you cannot really say that you are a graffiti artist, you are a muralist”. In other words, “your street cred is not bad there ”.

The artist argues that entering the stage is more “intense” than it was before. young people tend to “explode the city and make big [vandalisme]Instead of getting started timidly. According to him, it is the effect of social networks, which exacerbate the desire for performance of young people.

The experience graffiti artist is left perplexed by managing the file by the city. Also, “There is no continuity in the proposed projects. ” he suggests, pointing in particular that the call for projects for murals has not been renewed this year.

Ms. Fortin confirms that “the budgets have been allocated differently this year”. but that “does not mean that a call of projects could not occur next year”.

The website of the city of Sherbrooke offers information on tags. graffiti, an authorized wall map as well as different techniques for cleaning graffiti.