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by Ryn Gargulinski | art blogski, Blogski Archives, crime, danger, environment, life, odd pueblo, police, fire, law | 12 comments
Tucsonan Bobby Leverette’s potential career as the next Picasso was cut short last week when he was busted for his alleged graffiti spree.
Leverette, 28, was arrested in connection with more than 20 different cases that involved graffiti, according to a news release from the Tucson Police Department.
A search warrant at his house covered enough evidence to link him to the numerous cases – and some other stuff. He was booked into Pima County Jail, charged with one count felony criminal damage, along with unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
C’mon, Leverette, everyone knows you can’t do your best artwork when you’re stoned.
Police evidently found Levertette’s handiwork to be more like vandalism than anything else. Yet other graffiti – and various scenes around town – can definitely qualify as art.
Don’t take it from me, as I find roadkill artistic. Judge for yourself in the slide show below. No, I did not include any roadkill photos – although I have a whole gallery of them.
What’s your definition of art?
Does art have to be beautiful to qualify as art?
What makes art beautiful? What makes it ugly?
radmax on 02/08/2010 at 7:55 am
Mornin’ Rynski! Well, I’m torn on this one. While some taggin’ is surprisingly artful, most of it is just some fool’s name gang affiliation in a public place.
BTW-the egg rolls with the side of blood and the trash can sandwich look very appetizing. 🙂
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 8:11 am
i, too, have seen some graffiti that is very artistic – and other slop that only blocks reading the street signs or worse. so i’ll have to agree that not all graffiti is artistic at all.
so glad you enjoyed the eggrolls with side of blood and the trash can sandwich. i’ll take that as two YESES for “yes, this is art.”
you aren’t fond of dogs playing poker paintings, are you? hahahah
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radmax on 02/08/2010 at 8:24 am
You assume correctly. They go in the same category as a velvet Elvis. 🙂
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 8:44 am
velvet elvis! now THAT is classic art! that’s one that teeters the line, falling from crappy to cool just because of its hideousness!
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Carolyn Classen on 02/08/2010 at 7:58 am
If you want to see really expensive art go to the new Eric Firestone Gallery on 403 N. 6th Ave., and see the large monochrome vertical paintings by famous Swiss American painter Olivier Mosset.   You will be stunned. Here’s the website preview:
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 8:15 am
wow, carolyn. i checked out the link and saw nothing there that looked like art whatsoever – then i realized i WAS LOOKING at the supposed art. you are right – these one color canvases go into the same category as “Paintings that consist of a single dot.”
but, since they cost a lot of money, they must be good, no? hahahha.
mother nature, of course, is the all time best artist. and her stuff is free.
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Carolyn Classen on 02/08/2010 at 8:28 am
At the art opening of this show those paintings were listed for $45,000 each.  I kid you not.   Like I said, we were stunned.  I met the artist later there as my husband used to know his ex-wife.
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 8:47 am
maybe he needs the $45,000 to pay alimony? hahahha.
STUNNED – is surely a good way to describe it. and i’ll bet someone buys one, too. the same people who can afford the $76,000 moose from tubac perhaps?
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azmouse on 02/08/2010 at 10:53 am
Whoa! That artist is a genius for getting people to think he’s an artist…no offense.
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 11:18 am
hey! maybe it will work with my stuff – anyone want to buy a rock i found in the rillito? it’s only $32,000. look! i’m even beating the going art prices!
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azmouse on 02/08/2010 at 8:51 am
This stuff always makes me think of my best friend’s nephew and his ‘barrel monster’ art. I think it’s cool but the authorities didn’t.
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Rynski on 02/08/2010 at 8:56 am
ha! i thought of barrel monster, too – and so wish i could use photos of it without potentially getting sued. but yes, anyone who has not seen barrel monster, please check out the link.
folks would definitely slow down in construction zones if they were lined with such fine things to look at!