Over the years, the Houston Street wall in Manhattan has become a touchstone for artists like Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf. It’s an honor to get chosen to do your thing on the wall. Kenny has had his mural tagged by other graffiti artists as has the latest painter, Maya Hayuk. She had an unexpected collaboration, clean it up and got hit again, harder. Shepard Fairey’s installation famously got hit so heavily that holes were literally punched into the wall. (Hayuk and myself were contributors to “Take Back the Streets” that was at the New Museum and is now at Wall Playthrough March 5, along with Fairey & Scharf’s work and 10 other artists.) For some reason, sanctioned street art that gets tagged by other “artists” gets little sympathy. Someone painting over your work just feels wrong, no matter where it’s located – unless of course you’re a dick, then I’ll bet you think it’s cool.
