Prime Time 7, Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks

8 Discussion: Graffiti – Vandalism or art? a) Take part in the opinion poll below and pick the statement you most agree with.  Graffiti is definitely art and should be celebrated.  Graffiti is definitely vandalism and its creators should be punished.  Graffiti is art, but there ought be specific places for it.  Graffiti is art, but I don’t want it on my wall, thank you.  Some of graffiti is art, but most is rubbish. b) Add arguments to your opinion by adding phrases starting with “because”. The ideas below might help you. only vandalism if done on unauthorised properties cool way to express your feelings many people can see what artists want to express graffiti artists invest a lot of time in their work lack of respect for other people’s property you can’t claim that something is not art just because it is illegal Speaking: A graffiti artist caught in the act With a partner, prepare the following conversation and then act it out. a) Choose one of the role cards each. b) First collect further ideas and arguments supporting the position described on your role card. c) Then act out the conversation with your partner. Role card A Young graffiti artist You are caught in the act by a law enforcement officer while working on your newest graffiti on the wall of what seemed to be an old, aban- doned building. The officer accuses you of having committed an offence. Defend yourself and try to achieve the following goals in your conversation: •• Convince the officer that what you are doing is art and not an offence. •• Persuade them to let you go. •• Persuade them not to call your parents. Role card B Law enforcement officer On patrol you discover a teenager spraying the slogan “Make love not war” onto the back wall of the police station. Confront the young graffiti sprayer with the offence he/she has committed and try to achieve the following goals in your conversation: •• Make clear to the sprayer that what he/she is doing is a criminal act, not art. •• Explain to him/her that vandalism is illegal and suggest different ways to express oneself. •• Inform him/her of the consequences of his/ her behaviour. 3  4  Fact file Graffiti Graffiti (images or lettering drawn or painted onto property) has existed since ancient times, but the spray can style of urban graffiti popular today was pioneered in the subway stations and trains of New York City in the late 1960s. It combined the thrill of doing something illegal with an outlet for artistic selfexpression, becoming one of the four main elements of hiphop culture (along with rapping, DJing and breakdancing). Since the 1980s graffiti (when called urban, street or guerrilla art) has been recognised as a serious, if illicit, art form. F 112 Art Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eige tum des Verlags öbv