October 6, 2005
When You Tag in A Graffiti Hater's 'Hood
A graffiti arist, Oliver Siandre, with the tag "Kiko," was arrested for criminal mischief yesterday, after tagging at least fifty locations in Astoria. And you know who made one of the first calls to the police when "Kiko" started to appear? You got it: City Councilman Peter Vallone. In the Post, Vallone says, "He tagged private homes and the columns at Athens Square Park, apparently because he was trying to impress his girlfriend," who lives in Astoria; his quote in the Daily News is "I want this punk, and I want him bad." Police found spray cans and graffiti books in Siandre's Upper West Side apartment, and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown called Siandre "one of New York City's more notorious graffiti taggers." Really? Gothamist is curious to know who else is on the most wanted list. If anyone has seen the NYPD's notebook of graffiti, let us know. Anyway, this is either a lesson not ot tag in Vallone's neighborhood or it's a clarion call to tag in Vallone's neighborhood, to really mess with him.
The NYPD's anti-graffiti initative. And Gothamist on graffiti in New York City.
This photograph of a graffiti whale is not by Kiko, but Kiko sounded like a whale name; photograph from Bluejake on Streetsy
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artist? tagging? - I must confess that when I walk to the subway in the early morning and get to look at all the defaced store grates I do not think of it as art but rather as ugly evidence of someone who has no concept of civility.
So tell me, Gothamist, will you clean it up when the "artists" you're exhorting come and "tag" my building? I'm so over your endless promotion of graffiti. Happy Birthday, Jake Dobkin. It's really time now for you to grow up. And Jen Chung, I'm surprised at you.
"graffiti arist" is up to personal opinion.
Me, I'm hardly a fan of someone who defaces Other Peoples Property...
hear hear fellows. this sort of loutish behavior should not be encouraged or tolerated. graffiti creates an impression of lawlessness. i wonder if these glorifiers of idealized urban youth culture know how depressing it is to come home to a tagged up building.
Mom??? Dad??? When did you start posting comments on gothamist?!?! Jeez, I'm so embarrassed...
Next time I'm at Jake Dobkin's place, I'm going to leave behind a pile of poop on his doorstep as an act of poop art. I defy anyone who claims that my artistry is not legitimate.
If he is an artist, why doesn't he make a canvas and display his work in a gallery? Why should my tax dollars go to painting over and cleaning up someone's excuse for defacing public propery?
Why can't he apply for a grant and maybe a space will be created for the sole purpose of graffiti?
I would support local graffiti centers around NYC.
I miss the old covered in graffiti subway cars. So much more interesting than the boring silver of today. I still don't understand why people get so uptight about graffiti in the city. What's wrong with a little color and expression? If you'd prefer sterile I suggest a move (back) to the Midwest.
What's hillarious is you compare people's outrage towards graffiti artists compared to--let's say--people not cleaning up after their dog, people non cleaning up after their dogs seem to be more acceptable. Ditto with piles of nasty garbage that piles up.
Lots of times graffiti shows up on buildings and structures that are long abandonded and falling apart. So if people are so uptight about graffiti, go and deal with the reasons why these neighborhoods and storefronts are falling apart.
Yes! Graffiti is terrible. I personally blame it for the decline in New York's real estate value over the last few years.
I'm surprised to find that this guy lives on the Upper West Side as he does tag all over Astoria, plus his picture is up in the Trade Fair super market for shoplifting!
you people sure are square.
I love how square and sterile people are equated with the midwest. I also love those pretty colors all over the place on public stuff - it reminds me of the apple trees in our orchards, or the bright-blue Impala my friend Dale down the street just got. He sure is a rocker, that Dale.
But seriously, does it cost y'alls folks money to clean up messy graffitti? That sure is a shame. Some of it is nice and all, but some of it, with the crazy words that noone can read, or the weird shapes that make sense to the dude who just sprayed it, that can be a little much. Y'alls art folk should maybe get a canvas or somethin', do it indoors. Or maybe, ask first?
I understand doing it on dead buildings and all, because those poor suckers need love. But some guy's corner store? If you ask, maybe he'll say yes, and everyone will be in on the joke. Oh well, time for my shift at the charity shop, love to y'alls later.
Can't speak for other people, but I'm not "outraged".
I've seen graffiti that I though looked very interesting, I just think the graffiti has an undesirable side to it.
I've seen yuppies that I though looked very interesting, I just think the yuppies have an undesirable side to it.
Nothing. When it's done with permission. When you do it on other people's property without asking, it's just, plain vandalism. Tell you what, you want more color and expression? Let me know where you live and the make, model and plate of the car you drive and I'll give you some. Then you can tell us how much you like graffiti.
Hi. Normally I hate them with all my might, but in this case, Vice Magazine nails graffiti right on the head. Read this:
www.viceland.com/issues/v11n9/htdocs/global.php
Take this test:
If you came home as someone was spray-painting something on your home would you...
A) Tell them what a good job they're doing keeping the neighborhood vibrant and ask for an autograph.
B) Beat them about the head with a 5-lb bag of onions from your grocery bag. Repeat as needed.
______
I don't care if you're from Oklahoma or Ozone Park, B is the correct answer.
I'll leave the whole "graffiti good/graffiti bad" conversation to the rest of you, but I live in Astoria and I can tell you that this guy was EVERYWHERE over the last six months or so. It's hard to turn a corner and not see his tag. Vans, wall, roofs, train stops, fences, everything. I generally don't have much respect for people who just throw up very simple tags, but the sheer number made me take notice after a while.
As for the Tradefare shoplifting picture... Which one is he? I love that they take Polaroids of people who they catch, btw.
eh, whatever, people have been writing graffiti for thousands of years. Theres graffitti on the Pyramids in Egypt from Greek travelers, the equivalent of "spiro was here" or something. so you guys can piss an moan and bitch and threaten all you want, it wont go away. as much as you may or may not hate it, its a verified human behavior that will exist as long as we do.
Correction: It's a verified idiot behavior that will exist as long as idiots do. Unfortunately, that latter condition is semantically identical to what you wrote.
graffiti-research existing now for 300 years and summing up results since 30 years showing nothing really helped to stop wall-writing,but to the contrary,a new sector "graffiti-as-business" was
created manking already an annual global $60 billion.
Some success..............
i knew that KIKO was gonna get it one day. I mean every "bomber" gets bagged. As being a graffiti artist u go out there knowing that u can get bagged at any moment. To me i like the way kiko tags. people look at graffiti as a bad thing but really is the way a graffiti artist expresses him/herself. As much as the people try to keep the city clean graffiti will never die, because with out graffiti nyc wouldnt be nyc. NYC is known for its graffiti.
all around Astoria you will see a "kiko" tag
this guy is really something! i hear little 6th and 7th graders coming out of I.S.126 saying" hey did you see that new KIKO?" face it..this guy is a criminal but if kids are fascintated by this..whats going to happen next? I think grafitti is something you are forced to do because it is natural..You have freedom..you can use your imagination to its fullest..and what do you get? Envy..Hate..and Praise.. all I'm saying is graffiti is something everyone should of got used to already..no matter WHO it outrages..
and even if people do graffiti is done with permission(permits/canvas/rurals) its still look downed upon because it feel somewhat like you are forced to do it so other people can like it..oh and as for KIKO getting caught.. i dont think he's done
Astoria is runned by KIKO C8 (crazy eights). KIKO is one of the most taggers in queens that got known in a very short time. Alot of kids talk about KIKO diffrent ages, the kids liked it... Graffiti is never gonna end because people like KIKO, DOUGH, SkI, LB, ZOeN, PinZ, PhaMe, RD,.... and other old skool taggers influenced kids. So As long as these bombers bomb and theyre peices stand, more and more kids will look upto graffiti and start doing theyre thing.
people should just stop cleanin up graffiti, the more u clean it up the more it will come bak, catch somebody, somebody else will take his place, U CAN'T STOP IT!! Graffers don't die,They just multiply
people should just stop cleanin up graffiti, the more u clean it up the more it will come bak, catch somebody, somebody else will take his place, U CAN'T STOP IT!! Graffers don't die,They just multiply
P.S. does anybody know why Scarp Yards isn't open?
I think that Siandre's tag were great pieces of work. In my opinion,Astoria is very dull, and Kiko's art was fascinating and well done. I've heard to much about oh, were trying to make New York City known as a non grafitti scarred city. Isn't that what it's famous for? I mean honestly you busted one out of what 500 taggers? I think grafitti is a positive quality in the city on either private or public property. Those who hate grafitti aren't creative, they have no taste in fine urban arts, and they deliberitally choose to ignore unique talents. I used to live in Astoria, and there wasn't much grafitti there anyway honestly, why do you people make such a big deal?
I think that Siandre's tag were great pieces of work. In my opinion,Astoria is very dull, and Kiko's art was fascinating and well done. I've heard to much about oh, were trying to make New York City known as a non grafitti scarred city. Isn't that what it's famous for? I mean honestly you busted one out of what 500 taggers? I think grafitti is a positive quality in the city on either private or public property. Those who hate grafitti aren't creative, they have no taste in fine urban arts, and they deliberitally choose to ignore unique talents. I used to live in Astoria, and there wasn't much grafitti there anyway honestly, why do you people make such a big deal?
Graffiti has been around forever and it's not leaving. Fuck your taxes, their gettin taken out of you paycheck whether we tag shit up or not. Then again their are boundaries, YOU DON'T TAG PEOPLES HOUSES!!! What kind of shit is that? Come to Seattle and you will see my name everywhere.....
Graffiti will never die because of real graffiti writters like SKI, SERE and all the BS and 357 kings. Anything you can do we can do better.
Graffiti is a New york city sub-culture. This art form will never die. People like Kiko deserve what they get cause he wrote on personal property that wasn't even tagged. The city should allow the expressways to live in Nyc....Peoplewho don't do it, follow it. Some people come here just to view it.I believe there are other things more important than spending tax dolars on taggers. Helloooooooo...We have sick arabs that want to destroy us.
Hello people of ASStoria , KIKO says he's really sorry for taggin on athens sq. Pillars. I just wanted to tell everyone that night I was really drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. The next day I saw that and I knew I was gonna pay for that.
I really pray that I don't go to jail because I have a good career as a professional jeweler/model maker & I don't want to ruin my life over something like graffiti. Mabye I'll start asking for permission to do murals from now on. Thank you guys for your support
Peace & love ...KIKO©
Hello people of ASStoria , KIKO says he's really sorry for taggin on athens sq. Pillars. I just wanted to tell everyone that night I was really drunk and I didn't know what I was doing. The next day I saw that and I knew I was gonna pay for that.
I really pray that I don't go to jail because I have a good career as a professional jeweler/model maker & I don't want to ruin my life over something like graffiti. Mabye I'll start asking for permission to do murals from now on. Thank you guys for your support
Peace & love ...KIKO©
keep your head up kiko there so many taggers
in astoria they cant catch us all. graffiti art will live on!o way fuck the police!!!!!!!! o way youll never take me alive coppers.NEMONE!
Prepare to be Embedded! :P
i have been going out with kiko for 2 1/2 years...and now he's looking at jail time for his "art work." In my opinion graffiti is cool but for future reference get permission. there are many places that will let you express yourself. Hopefully your girlfriends will not have to go through what im going through right now...
Hey,
Looking to touch base with KIKO - doing a piece on the percieved differences between graffiti and street art- and policy on it, if anyone has any connect please forward my info- calllitastyle@yahoo.com
Peace,
Kendra
wow kiko is jus to good ur tax dollars idc u kno astoria is dull it has no color kiko jus makes it look better i dont know y u ppl r so rude u kno u like his stuff so stop haing unlike those toy taggers u need to stop them..kiko his pieces r crazy every here in astoria ull see his stuff u kno they should worry bout somthin else than graffiti likeosama binladen or somthing..ukno madd people look up to him so i dontknow graffiti will never stop..
kiko rox my sox
Pamela
For those lamies who hate...you can't know how seeing a UFO can be a little pick-me-up or let me know I'm headed in the right direction.
Plus it keeps rents down...
In the Midwest, we carve Miquel hearts Alicia 4-Eva into trees...then they die. I prefer spots that can be/need to be painted.
graffiti is da best thing to do in life so fuk da law we will menace the society
eyo wuts up i do graffiti and free kiko free evry tagger dats loked up fuk da law da government the cop fuk evrybody who dont like it crakers dey could all go to hell yall dont do shyt but talk so fuk u vandal squad could suk my dik yall pussy We All Rebel WARevolutionary and fuk da president bush burn to hell stupid rednek btch
kiko the best
i say free your mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
alison: "If he is an artist, why doesn't he make a canvas and display his work in a gallery?"
because you and all the OTHER fake sophistos believe art is what you are told to believe is art. brain washed hypocrites is what you are. perhaps you should take a step back and look at your OWN opinion on art. just let me see you (if you even are that cultured) in a gallery of mine OR even a gallery that kiko is going to get soon; laughs i say. i bet you are eatting up the village voice at the moment. i hope you gather around your bible group tonight and gossip about this. sheep.
this comment goes to "alison"..you got too much time on your hands girl!!..if u have no clue of wat your're talking about, dont attempt to put it writing..think before u have another brain fart!!
damn, you guys don't have to pay for graffiti clean up with your tax dollars. just start writing on the walls that you don't want to, and soon you won't. duh!