Unwritten rules of graffiti

Graffiti artists have transformed cities into huge art exhibits, which are free and open to the public 24 hours a day. Although the nature of this art, and it is an art, seems to be a free-for-all for anyone who picks up a spray can, there are many people who know better. "Beginner painters are called toys," said a graffiti artist, who wishes to remain anonymous. He is from Ogden and started practicing painting in his unfinished basement. His parents gave him permission to paint one of the rooms. "I would never have painted over a legitimate piece," the artist said, "I always found an empty spot, whenever I painted, in the street or the train yard." It seems not all graffiti artists hold the artist's same ideals. The difference is as clear as the writing on the walls. The Bookshelf has become a center of controversy in the graffiti art world. The store has been a staple of local culture for 25 years. It is a node for used books, role-playing, comic books, storytelling, movie rentals, the occasional poetry readings, book signings, and information on Wiccan craft. Whoever might walk to the parking lot behind the store would witness a treasure seldom seen by most residents of Ogden. Graffiti has been sprayed (in varying degrees of complexity) along the backside, proudly displayed next to piping, garbage, asphalt and old brick. One question that might come to mind is the owner's opinion on this issue. Patricio Ortega, owner and manager of The Bookshelf, has allowed people to "tag" up the rear entrance to his store for approximately five years. The controversy is centered on the fact that people, who are not the original artists still paint up the wall. Ortega has bumped into around 15 people using the graffiti as a backdrop. According to Patricio Ortega, before the art was applied, the wall was painted an industrial green. About five years ago, the wall was in need of a paint job and one of the employees, Ben Trentleman, had friends who were practiced in the art of graffiti. Their services to paint the wall seemed a no-brainer for Ortega. Either have this eyesore of a color on the back of his building, or let this person cover it with art at no cost to him. At one point in time, Patricio Ortega had to set some ground rules. "Don't put anything you don't want your mother to see," Ortega said. Plus, due to a city petition, the name "The Bookshelf" cannot be painted on the brick. Another rule: respect; if you want to paint over someone else's work, get their permission first. The graffiti artist, age 23, is from Ogden and has been painting since he was 15 years old. He and his friends are the original artists who painted "proper pieces" on The Bookshelf wall. "It had someone reading a book and the back of their head was open," the artist said, "It depicted all these images that were going through his mind." His friends continued to paint over and change the art, but it was always suitable for the purposes of the store. Then, other people started painting over their murals. "When egos get involved, that's where the violence comes in," the artist said. "We are not a gang; we don't intimidate or use violence." That's why the artist and his friends, some of whom had come from California and other states, quit trying to keep up the art on the back of The Bookshelf. Some of the works for which Ortega had an appreciation had been painted over. Many people would say that is the nature of graffiti­ - it will eventually replaced. Nevertheless, he wished he had some sort of documentation of them, in order to keep record of what kind of talent comes through Ogden, much like a bookstore. According to Crandall, there are different types of graffiti or "graf." Tagging can be simply using a marker to write your name anywhere. Bubble letters are more decorative and are used in "throw ups," which is a typical-looking graffiti name. A full-scale piece or a "burner" is the largest; it's an elaborate mural. Crandall has met and networked with artists from all over the country. His group of friends has a common purpose in creating graffiti art for art's sake in the street. Crandall was surprised when he first met a graffiti artist he admired. "He was soft spoken, just a regular guy," the artist said, "You don't have to be a "hood" to paint graffiti." Although not a gang by the world's definition, those who see art in the street may not know the difference between what is gang-related or not. Just like learning to recognize any art, it takes research and time. Richard Moore is the creator of Crime Time magazine. It contains invaluable information for anyone interested in street art. One of Crandalls friends is the editor of All Nation, a graffiti art magazine that has photos from all over the world of different graffiti art. Love it or hate it, graffiti is becoming a large industry. Even if after hours of work their art is washed away in the rain, to the artists, the experience of creating the art is priceless.

To contact reporters Brice Kelsch or Molly Bennett call 626-7105.