Just a few steps from outside Scott Library on the second floor of the Ross building, you enter a new world separate from the sphere of academics that contains grey concrete walls and red spray paint. “Get brainwashed here” is not exactly a slogan that one would think York University would embrace. We can denote this particular piece of art as graffiti as it is an “unauthorized writing on a public space” (Merriam-Webster, 2014). The question is: should it stay? No, this particular piece should not as it is offensive to students and the university, but I would highly endorse some commissioned colour on these bland walls of the Ross Building.
Since I first started attending York University, I have walked through the Ross building practically every school day. Despite this building being a part of my everyday routine, the graffiti just a few meters above my head was something that I had never seen before.
Upon experiencing this space, I was overwhelmed by the numerous quotes spray painted on the side of the building. Despite it being in the middle of the afternoon, I felt unsafe as this area of my academic institution had been claimed by someone else who disrespected and hated the university and sought to define themselves as separate from it.
McAuliffe and Iveson (2011) state that graffiti is “a spatial practice that draws attention to the complex processes at work in the social, cultural and political construction of urban space” (p 129). It is evident that this particular artist is showcasing their personal constructions of York University: an institution that suppresses rather than develops free thinking. Although it cannot be certainly proven, it is my belief that the person who illustrated these words was someone who did not attend York University. This is because if you thought a school was brainwashing you, you probably would not be paying to go there. It could be true that this person is unable to reach York due to certain economic, social or political restraints and feels a need to lash out against the school and the members that constitute the space.
In fact, this is a fair judgement. York University is rather exclusive as to who can enter the campus space. We can see this through the high security on the campus and the ostracizing narratives generated about the surrounding Jane and Finch community. Ruddick (1996) would classify this feeling of select access as a process of “othering” as certain members, like students and staff, are welcomed into the campus space while others, such as Jane and Finch residents, are not (p, 10). Such a dialectic that enables a distinct separation between two entities would inevitably invoke a feeling of exclusion that could cause someone to deface a space with such a subversive message.
It is clear that we are asking the wrong question. It is not whether the graffiti should stay or go, rather why the graffiti is there in the first place? From this we can conclude that York University’s space is in need of a transformation that allows it to be inclusive and be reformed as a more public space. We need to transform the walls of this campus to consist not of hateful slurs that convey a sense of crime and unsafe space, but to be composed of art via commissioned graffiti created by the community. It is simple; transform the space to promote positive graffiti through legal walls so that these writers and the people who experience the space can feel welcomed.
References
McAuliffe, C, & Iverson, K. (2011). Art and Crime (and Other Things Besides … ): Conceptualising Graffiti in the City: Conceptualising Graffiti in the City. Geography Compass 5(3): 128–143.
Merriam-Webster. "Graffiti." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster Incorporated, 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graffiti>.
Ruddick, Susan. “Constructing Differences in Public Spaces”. Race, Class, and Gender as Interlocking Systems (1996): 10
I totally agree with your closing paragraph in concern to graffiti that is just a message. The tag "get brainwashed here" is a very critical issue that many people have with modern universities. I believe that the person attended York for any given period of time and came to their own realization of what they were learning. Their feelings could have been influenced by a bad professor or TA that would mark anything that was not close to their views negatively. Regardless it is a tag that creates a very negative space for those attending the university.
I kind of think this piece is funny. I can see where someone who tagged this might be coming from (whether they go to York or not), and honestly I have felt that feeling myself sometimes while at York. That being said, I agree with you on the fact it should be removed. As humorous as I think it is, you're right, it doesn't belong in an academic place that claims to have any sense of honour or self respect. Furthermore, Ross is very reminiscent of some mass produced Cold War bunker and definitely does need some livening up, especially, as you said, with all the lazily written quotes tagged all over it.
I agree with your question of why it was there in the first place. I have a feeling that this kind of graffiti is a sort of political view on education, like on how they see education as since everyone has a dominate view of the world. I also think its funny but i do agree on it being removed though, it doesn't give of a nice vibe in the school.
You asked a great question in addition to our analysis of graffiti and why they were there in the first place! This question got me thinking about graffiti in general that we see at school or just anywhere that are more opinionated! I saw this on the roof of Ross too and I'm glad you chose to do this graffiti! I agree with you that it should be removed as some people may take offense to it. Thanks for sharing!
To be honest I do not find this piece offensive. We say that education fosters objectivity but I feel that no matter what the space, we are constantly being influenced by dominant ideologies. Personally I find it a good reminder that I am just a cog in a wheel. They should leave this piece up, I believe it causes more grievances for the university's reputation more than anything else.
I am actually quite surprised that this particular piece of graffiti still remains on the property of a post-secondary institution. I can personally relate to this piece as I remember seeing this graffiti during my first year and also having similar thoughts as you did. As a new student, it felt very uncomfortable and unsafe when entering this particular space. I agree with the great question you asked at the end of your post about why this graffiti is there in the first place, as it does not make sense to me why someone would post such unauthorized writing in a public space.