Art As A Political Statement

Originally, I was going to make this post purely about yarn bombing, but the other day I came across this article, about a man who painted a 145-step stairway in Turkey, "to make people smile." However, the government thought it was a deeper statement and decided to repaint over the man's hard work. This created a commotion among the people in the area. They took a stand and began painting other staircases in the area in different, colorful variations until the government backed down, and again, repainted the stairs the rainbow pattern. (read more about my view on this matter).

Artist with his work.

The government cover up.

This got me thinking, what makes art, specifically street art, an act of activism or a political statement versus an act of self expression and simply art?

Military tank, Copenhagen, Denmark

The trend of yarn bombing is quickly spreading and gaining popularity throughout the world. There are even group websites dedicated to yarn bombing together. But what makes this form of street art more acceptable then others, such as graffiti? After all, isn't yarn bombing technically a form of graffiti? Yarn bombing is illegal; however it is not pursued as a crime like graffiti. Yarn bombings are harmless forms of protest, but then again so is graffiti. But, do you think the reaction would have been the same if a tank was painted in pink rather then yarn bombed in pink?

A tree in Germany,
protesting nuclear power plants

Two students have taken it upon themselves to yarn bomb against nuclear plants. But they have made the papers rather then being arrested. Is this because it does not have the same stigma as graffiti? Or because it is easily removable? Why is it that yarn bombing is looked at in awe as inspiring and creative, but most graffiti is looked down upon as rebellious and disrespectful scribblings?

And, why does a rainbow staircase become an issue of a government suppressing free rights, but a rainbow tree is just a creative piece of art?

Maybe I am wrong. What do you think?

A tree down the street from UB.

And, not to open another whole jar of worms, but, there is also the question of what makes graffiti art, and what makes it a crime? After all, Banksy makes his living off of political "graffiti." Why is his accepted and other not? Is it the way it is approached? The country he lives in?

Hopefully I have not overwhelmed you with everything that has been going through my mind. There is so much to explore. I would love to here your thoughts and stance on the matter.