Expression hits the wall


Barometer Staff Editorial


Shhhh. This isn’t confirmed yet, but we think it’s safe to say that designated, legal graffiti walls are pretty rare.

A smattering of calls to visitor’s centers asking after graffiti walls in Corvallis, Portland and Eugene resulted in a lot of “I have no idea,” answers.

Rumors were confirmed that rumors about graffiti walls in Eugene exist. However, the actual, current existence of these walls is a mystery.

A call to the Oregon State Police yielded information that Gresham used to have a graffiti wall, but the idea apparently backfired and paint spread beyond its designated space

A quick google search with “Gresham + graffiti” unearthed more than a couple inquiries indicating that graffiti is a problem there.

Corvallis, however, was unique.

In the mid-1990s, local business owners offered a graffiti wall to those with a paint can fixation.

The owner of the wall, Catherine Mater, said people who used the wall never abused their unique privilege and kept all their artwork in the PG-arena and on the designated area.

“The Wall,” as locals dubbed it, was located prominently on First Street and Washington Avenue.

With the exception of rare gems like Mater’s wall, graffiti, and even the ownership of graffiti tools, is illegal.

OK, it’s illegal in the sense that it’s only a violation — the legal equivalent of a finger shake — but illegal nonetheless.

On the surface we don’t disagree. Destroying someone else’s property is beyond uncool, even if it is in the name of artwork and self expression.

However, banning “all” graffiti is where we draw the line.

In a country built on the idea of a marketplace of ideas and free speech, it makes sense this idea may be more than a light bulb clicking on or air passing over the lips for some.

It means colors. Words twisted with intricate brush strokes to take on a whole new meaning.

During winter ’05 term, one simple “graf” on Corvallis’ wall said “Live the Dream.”

This summer “The Wall” was taken down to make room for the Renaissance on the River Front, a project to expand boutiques and apartment living in downtown.

Unfortunately for some Corvallis residents, paint cans had to be put back under lock and key so they could live Corvallis’ dream.

“The Wall” was saved and is awaiting a new location, where street artists can once again congregate.

We truly hope the brick canvas finds a new home and humbly suggest the new Kelley Engineering Center ... they seem to have a modern, post-modern art thing going on.