Vandalism Versus Art

Let's be clear, the graffiti problem Preserve Bisbee is targeting is vandalism, NOT art.  Graffiti is defined as an "unauthorized act of inscription onto public or private property."  The key word in that definition is UNAUTHORIZED.  

IF IT IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER OR THE CITY, IT IS VANDALISM, NOT ART. 

When a building, particularly a brick or other type of masonry building, is tagged or vandalized by graffiti, the historical integrity of that structure is immediately destroyed.  The bricks, along with other materials like mortar, are physical manifestations of the building's history. They reflect the construction techniques, available materials, and aesthetic preferences of the time. 

The "art" in question is the building itself.  In one of the best pieces we've seen, an article featured in the National Trust For Historic Preservation titled Why Do Old Places Matter, the author Thompson Mayes describes it beautifully:  

"These special places, these works of architecture, are works of art.  No less than any other great art, architecture defines our civilization."  

To us at Preserve Bisbee, there is no greater act of disrespect to Bisbee's cultural and artistic heritage than the act of defacing one of our historic architectural treasures.