Saturday, May 25, 2013
Weather
MENO: Works of Art or Vandalism?Known on the street as graffiti artist MENO, Maximino Gonzales was arraigned in court on charges of felony criminal mischief after police say he caused more than $9,000 worth of damages with his graffiti.
A controversial graffiti artist facing felony criminal charges of mischief was arraigned in court today.
Maximino Gonzales, 21, better known as “Meno,” faces felony charges after he caused more than $9,000 worth of vandalism across the city, according to Anchorage police. “I think it's a sad situation that the state is using the resources of the people to prosecute a talented artist when they should be using the resources of the people to help promote art in Alaska” said Phillip Weidner, Meno’s attorney. Whether you think it’s art or a crime is the ongoing debate. And although graffiti has been an art form with a long history of controversy, many in the community admire his talent. Tap Root, a local restaurant and music venue, features artists every month and has come out publicly in support of his work. “The bottom line is he is an artist. A lot of people get angry about him doing his art in public places,” said Ellie Stefano, an employee at Tap Root. “I, personally, think it’s art and I think it’s beautiful.” Tap Root admires his work so much that it let Meno paint a stencil on the side of their building in Spenard. His work will also be showcased at Tap Root for the entire month of October. “We're kind of just wanting to give him a venue to show art legally,” said Stefano. “He is an artist so we just wanted to be able to have him show his work.” But ultimately, it’s an opportunity for the public to determine whether his work is art or vandalism. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Endub said on Tuesday, Oct 4 at 9:10 PM
He is a true street style ARTIST!
74789019Mike J. said on Tuesday, Oct 4 at 9:56 PM
C'mon, they can't be serious. Some mischief, yeah. But a felony? The city should be taking advantage of his awesome skills and do art around town, inside buildings and such. They could reap 100 times the damages with his efforts, and help beautify the neighborhoods, offices and such. Making a mountain out of a molehill in order to prove a point, yet totally soft on the real problems. Way to go!
74789742Andrew said on Wednesday, Oct 5 at 8:00 AM
Good or not its not his wall!!! DUH!!
74807777Candice The Tattooist said on Wednesday, Oct 5 at 1:15 PM
As a professional artist, I can absolutely appreciate the artform. However, altering someone elses personal property without their permission is not acceptable. I understand completely that part of the appeal of the artform to graffiti artists is the risk, the goal being to mark hard to reach and very visible places. Reguarding the felony charges, it's based on the sheer amount of damage done to others property. He's not a kid marking on a park bench he's a repeat "offender". That's the risk the artist takes, sometimes your burners get you burned.
74823882Gregory said on Wednesday, Oct 5 at 6:15 PM
Meno damaged nothing rather he enhanced life in the dull city. He should be honored not persecuted. And this is not a prosecution it is a persecution. Because Meno's work has a message the state finds it offensive. If his work were stupid pretty flowers would he be tried? I think not.
74836136VANDALS NEED PRISON TIME said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 1:23 PM
The PROPERTY is NOT theirs. They are nothing but disgusting,immature, stupis brats. They should be made to CLEAN it off, (using their money for products) given community service a year and go to jail for distruction of property. Parents and loosers are too SOFT on crime, any crime. They should be responsibe for their actions. Sue the parents too.
74885832HE IS NO CHILD OR TEEN!!! said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 4:15 PM
He is an adult. He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.He needs his butt kicked. Stick him in prison or jail a while, see hwo smart he thinks he is now. Looks like his FRIENDS are taking up for him on this post. All just a bunch of irresponsible brats!
74892412Minerva said on Thursday, Oct 6 at 11:51 PM
Hey Mr. "Vandals need prison time." You should be responsible and learn how to spell so you don't sound like an uneducated redneck when you are trying to make what you believe to be a valid point. And grouping graffiti artists, or people who are different from you in general, as "disgusting, immature stupis [sic] brats" is a gross and narrow-minded over generalization.
74903507TO MINERVA..THE EDUCATED ONE said on Friday, Oct 7 at 7:30 AM
First off I spell very well, however I type too fast, thus sometimes the error. For your general information this is a POST. NOT an english class, not a spelling bee, but just a post for peoples opinions.So if you want to act so superior, and want to play TEACHER get a job somewhere in the school district, college( if you have the degree and education). The immature, irresponsible bums,that vandalize property that is NOT theirs, deserve jail time and community service time. They need educated. People like you that condone their actions are just as bad. The tax payer has to PAY for the BRATSDESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. yOU MUST BE A FRIEND OF HIS OR HIS FAMILY. pEOPLE LIKE YOU WITH OUT REGARD TO laws ARE PART OF THE GROWING PROBLEM!!!
74919756Jeannie Lee said on Friday, Oct 7 at 12:14 PM
He is a true vandal and needs to PAY for the damages,put in jail, fined, and given 1 year of community service ( cleaning toilets in parks to start) and made to clean off all the graffti with his own funds, to purchase the cleaning supplies. He is a uneducated, lazy,street thug, period.Quit coddling the brainless hooligans that destroy property!
74937018Dunbob said on Wednesday, Oct 12 at 12:15 PM
Well said, Candace. This is not a complicated question - it is very simple. The point is not whether it is good art or not. If he wants to paint in his living room, or on the side of HIS house, that's great. If a property owner like the Tap Root wants to hire him to decorate their building, I'm all for it. But invading someone else's space and infringing/damaging their space is arrogant and wrong.
75192838Jack and Jill said on Wednesday, Oct 12 at 12:34 PM
"Hey Mr. "Vandals need prison time." You should be responsible and learn how to spell so you don't sound like an uneducated redneck when you are trying to make what you believe to be a valid point. And grouping graffiti artists, or people who are different from you in general, as "disgusting, immature stupis [sic] brats" is a gross and narrow-minded over generalization." -this post gets on my... minerva!
75193897Gretchen Smith said on Sunday, Nov 13 at 4:41 PM
The mayor should send him a thank you letter and hold a ribbon cutting honoring him for improving their ugly city. Shame on them for prosecuting.
76869634Jacitm said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 3:03 AM
I still love the man's work - I used to work security for various establishments around town and above all MENO's talent brought acclaim to the game; you call it vandalism I call it art - if I had a house or business, I'd want him doing my murals - his work would make my business stand out from the norms.
108078766Add a comment
Most Popular