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Changing China

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01:57 November 5th, 2009

Beijing’s graffiti: art or mayhem?

Posted by: Tyra Dempster
Tags: Countdown to Beijing, , , ,

Beijing’s young graffiti artists use derelict buildings as the canvas to share their take on the world.

 

Armed with spray paint, the graffiti team known as “Beijing Penzi” enthusiastically sets to work, giving a derelict building a new lease on life.

Graffiti is not encouraged in the Chinese capital, but the street art is beginning to creep onto the capital’s streets. Debate rages over whether it’s eye-catching or just an eyesore.

 

 

Beijing has its own graffiti custodian, known as LLYS. His blog gives regularly updated photographs of new graffiti appearing on the city’s streets. Or try Beijing Penzi member 0528’s blog.

To watch the full Reuters Report click here.

2 comments so far

If its good art , someone might tear it away and christie might auction it and the whole hoo ha about stolen heritage will start again.

- Posted by Peter

In China, you can drive a car without licence plates ; you can ride a motorcycle without head gear ; you can sell Nokia if only its circuit board is original, as police only crack down on totally fake goods and they never warn you to buckle up. So you enjoy the greatest freedoms on earth and graffiti is just nothing. Do anything in Beijing with one exception “Never criticize their leaders”.

- Posted by Mollen

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