PART IV: COMPARISON AND REFLECTION

Graffiti and Vandalism are two different shades of the same leaf, which is wall art. We conducted
several interviews with people of different categories to understand in depth the situation in Pune. It
seems that while it isn't a big issue right now, it might be in the future although the possibility is far
less.

Our counterparts also seem to have done similar research wherein they have interviewed their vice
principal and people in the neighbourhood from which they understood their opinions on the same.
From our projects, we find that the state of graffiti and vandalism is similar in both countries and
people share similar thoughts regarding it. A thin line separates graffiti and vandalism which is
almost unnoticed by many.

On comparing our project with our counterpart school, lr. Lelylyceum, graffiti and vandalism seem to
have a similar state in both the countries: India and Amsterdam. The graffiti is pretty much similar,
and vandalism is termed as a punishable offence in both the countries.

In India art has been appreciated in many different forms like, carvings in caves, to Warli art on the
house walls and clothes, to making colourful Rangolis on street. Each form of art depicts the culture
and belief of the society. These art forms have become a tradition and play an important role in
transferring knowledge from one generation to another.

Amid these art forms Graffiti art is seen as vandalism in India due to many reasons. Largely because
the artists show their frustration towards the society in the form of art. The art is illegally done on
private and public walls without the consent of the owners.

Amsterdam has a rich and pristine heritage of graffiti. Much of this young people activity is closely
connected to some sorts of music as hip hop, a few sport disciplines as skating and BMX biking,
selected video games and a specific fashion. Groups of graffiti artists call themselves crews.

Now a days, India has some very renowned graffiti artists who have made their place on an
international platform thus changing the view with which graffiti was looked upon. Some famous
crews in India are - INKZEN, NME, Dibs, ZAKE, EPOC, ZINE, MOOZ, etc.

While in Amsterdam crews like USA (United Street Artists), TMP, 3rd Eye or LF (The Lame Face) exist
now for about fifteen years.

In India there are laws in place for vandalizers. Fines and in some cases, jail depending upon the
severity of the offense. Since public awareness is low in India, there are negligible complaints
registered against vandalizers.

In Amsterdam a graffiti artist has to pay for the damage done by the painting. When caught,
vandalizers are usually arrested for one night, but they can be kept in detention up to three days and
six hours. Judges are lenient only at the first apprehension, usually giving an offender a small fine for
vandalism and a cleaning task. When caught for the second time, you may end up in jail and pay a
big penalty for the damages. That is why many of the graffiti cases end up in a settlement, where
they pay for and cooperate in removal of the paintings, with 10% paid of the damages paid to the
court.

Vandalism of college property is seen in very few cities in India. The messages in such colleges are
mostly party basedin nature which have sometimes aggravated and have led to unrest. Mostly in
India graffiti is ignored. What mostly is appreciated is the street art or city art. Graffiti, if conveys
good message and if it looks artistic, is welcomed. Majority of schools and colleges in Pune are quite
strict with graffiti and have strict rules against it. To channelise the Graffiti artists creativity most
people have advised them to take up formal education in related arts field or join done advertising
company. However, graffiti is apart of ancient Indian heritage and even till date it is a practice to do
Rangoli and several wall art like Warli on walls and even threshold of home on auspicious days. As
ancient Indian history is largely oral or pictographic, walls of caves like Ajanta, Ellora are adorned
with engraving and painting which speaks volumes about our rich heritage and the elevated lifestyle
and pursuits of ancient Indians.

Amsterdam municipality has an interesting approach towards the graffiti artists, trying to
decriminalize the whole activity by creating legal opportunities and places to paint, by promoting the
most interesting graffiti painters to the status of an artist accepted by the society, by sponsoring
them, giving them commissions to decorate, trying to convince them to move with their painting to
canvas, promoting exhibitions and finally purchasing most interesting works to the museums.

Thus, we can conclude that the tolerance limit for graffiti vandalism is low both in India and
Amsterdam, however, both places showed appreciation when it came to graffiti with appropriate
messages. At an individual or home front level, graffiti is an inextricable part of our lifestyle and
being.

In India and Amsterdam laws against graffiti vandalizers are in place, however as the groups involved
in this art are very young, they are treated leniently.

In both the countries graffiti as an art has improved over the years.

The primary data taken in both the countries also highlights that public does not appreciate graffiti
which may provoke political issues and hurt religious sentiments. But yes, if the same art is beautiful
and has some message to convey, such graffiti is not considered to be vandalism.

Eumind has been a great opportunity for everyone to know the state of various situations in both
countries. We were enthused and happy to see our projects progressing successfully. Our learning
and appreciation of each other’s cultures and way of lives knew no bound, through this project. We
have made the full and best of opportunities granted to us.