The world at large does recognize graffiti as an actual and important art form. Check out Banksy and the film 'Exit through the Gift Shop'. It can be absolutely amazing if done well.
Two things though... Firstly, a street artist respects the art of others. Absolutely. Even taggers generally follow this basic rule. For someone to tag over a mural is vandalism. Period. And generally deplorable to everyone except the tagger. Secondly, Calgary has the worst taggers and graffiti artists in the world. It looks like the scribbling of a 3 year old. Even hardcore gangbangers in L.A. and N.Y. have enough skill that you can sort of make out a word, or a picture of some sort. And they a least have a reason for doing it. There is no West Hillhurst Mafioso, as far as I can tell, and they are not at war with the Bridgeland Fighting Walruses.
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