Graffiti in Public Places

In “Seawall Graffiti Swells Concerns” by Zan Dubin (Calendar, June 29), Michael Mudd, cultural director of Huntington Beach, states that graffiti along the seawall are works of “artists” and the results of “a very well-thought-out process” by youths who are saying “wonderful things about their own community.”

Mr. Mudd undoubtedly is better informed than I about art. After all, my idea of art has barely progressed beyond the French Impressionists, and to me, some of the graffiti appear as good as some of the contemporary works hanging in our top art museums.

However, I do not believe that graffiti belong on public structures. Regardless of Mr. Mudd’s ideas about artistic values, graffiti painting on buildings, walls and signs is unsightly defacement of property and certainly should not be encouraged.

Of course, I won’t complain if these artists decorate their own properties. Perhaps Mr. Mudd would enjoy having his walls adorned with original works.

SHOICHI ASAHINA

Huntington Beach