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Graffiti Bombings Transform Abandoned Skyscrapers into Tourist Attractions

In Los Angeles and Miami, abandoned high-rises covered in graffiti draw crowds and spark debate over street art versus vandalism.

Image
Graffiti spray painted by taggers on at least 27 stories of an unfinished skyscraper development located downtown on Feb. 2, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Graffiti on the unfinished skyscraper development in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2024.
Oceanwide Plaza tower covered in graffiti on Feb. 1, 2024.

Overview

  • Abandoned skyscrapers in Los Angeles and Miami have become canvases for graffiti artists, attracting attention and visitors.
  • The graffiti efforts, known as 'graffiti bombings,' have generated both admiration and condemnation from the public.
  • Los Angeles officials struggle to manage the situation as new graffiti appears overnight, despite constant police patrols.
  • The graffiti on the buildings has sparked a debate over the use of public space and the political statement behind the art.
  • City councils demand the removal of the graffiti, highlighting the tension between private property rights and public expression.