Graffiti is the only news

"How many futures have to be sacrificed at the altar of "art" by ivory-tower academics like those in L.A. with an adolescent need for street cred?" - Peter Vallone Jr.

June 29, 2011 edition of the NY Daily News featured an opinion piece written by City Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), "Graffiti draws out the worst in society." "Last year there were 3,840 graffiti-related arrests; out of that number 2,755 involved suspects under 20." Many know Vallone as a person who is tough on graffiti and those who paint the town. Also, in the editorial Vallone talks about how companies are capitalizing on the idea of graffiti as "cool" and being basically a bad influence on the youths of NYC.

Peter Vallone Jr.

In contrast, in the same issue, just a couple of  pages away, Macy's took out an entire page ad for the Fourth of July fireworks. Also, a couple of pages away, feature on the artist who created the ad Mr. Totem.

Mr. Totem Graffiti Artist