Walking down Melrose Avenue on a Saturday afternoon, I became captivated by the beautiful pieces of street art, while also becoming infuriated with the graffiti that ruins the image of the thriving community.

Street art has been confused with graffiti and consistently ridiculed for being nothing but a damaging representation of communities all over the world.

Many people participate in the ongoing debate as to whether these pieces fit more into society’s standard of legitimate art or the scribble on walls that we call graffiti.

Street art serves a bigger purpose,instead of damaging a community, it creates a piece of art that sparks conversation, debate and spreads beauty in the world.

Yan Toren, 20, sociology major says street art is something deeper than art.

“I think it’s beautiful and adds a lot of creativity,” said Toren.

Street art really captivates beauty and uniqueness to whatever form it is being displayed on. Whether it be in a gallery or on streets such as Melrose, street art always adds something special.

Graffiti is often not considered an art form and is portrayed as words or letters that serve no purpose or bigger meaning.

Toren also believes that graffiti is a form of street art in some places, but not others.

“Graffiti is a street art, but when it’s at places like Venice, not over billboards and important ads,” said Toren.

Graffiti, no matter where it is, is still graffiti to me. Venice beach is no excuse for being able to display graffiti although there are designated areas for it. Although it is undoubtedly beautiful, I don’t believe it is necessary.

Rachel Povolotsky, 22, psychology major, has a strong opinion against graffiti and says it could not live up to the phenomenon of street art.

“I couldn’t compare a teenager who is bored and tags a school or a business to be street art to something that is shown or photographed and shown in galleries where people can actually respect it,” said Povolotsky.

Throughout countless generations, graffiti and street art have been ways for artists to express themselves without knowing judgment.

Toren says she truly appreciates street art for what it is.

“I think it’s a form of art where people can let emotions out without actually saying anything, I like it,” said Toren.

Lately, there has been a lot of controversy and questioning including concerns of the line to draw between what is street art, and what is graffiti.

Povolotsky says she enjoys street art, unless it is destructive.

“Personally, I think that the type of street art that Banksy does, I think is really cool, and I think it tells a story and has meaning behind it,” said Povolotsky. “ I’m not the biggest fan of gang related tagging; I think it is destruction of private property.”

Although street art shows a higher intention to provoke the minds of onlookers, the debate is one critical minds will be talking about for generations to come.