Graffiti Games 2006 Start Now!

by Graffiti Games Organising Committee Monday March 06, 2006 at 04:13 PM

Go For Gold and Glory! Make all of Melbourne a “Maximum Tolerance
Zone” Join the 2006 Graffiti Games! www.graffitigames2006.com
Graffiti Games 2006 ...

Graffiti Games 2006: Official Launch Press Release 6/03/06
Go For Gold and Glory!
Make all of Melbourne a “Maximum Tolerance Zone”
Join the 2006 Graffiti Games!
A recent report commissioned by the City of Melbourne acknowledged
street art as a legitimate art form and called for the setting up of
“maximum tolerance zones” where artists could work on their pieces
undisturbed by either police or council security. Despite the report
gaining support from Crime Prevention Victoria and Melbourne Police
Superintendent Mick Williams, the Council’s misleadingly named
Community and Culture Committee decided to ignore its findings and
strike a blow against Melbourne’s culture by imposing a “zero
tolerance” anti-street art policy.
Michael Stewart, spokesperson for the Graffiti Games Organising
Committee (GGOC) has stated “In the time honoured tradition of other
cities which have hosted the Commonwealth Games the council is now
attempting to sterilise Melbourne by making it “the world’s most
unliveable city” for anyone failing to shape up to their expectations
of happy, shiny shoppers. With street artists and the homeless
currently being purged how long can it be until people with less than
$100 in their pockets, non-designer tracksuits or crooked teeth also
find themselves “United By The Moment” in being frogmarched to the city
limits for fear of cluttering up the view for wealthy tourists?”
In response to this, and the Victorian Government’s decision to waste
$1 million dollars of tax-payers’ money in setting up an anti-graffiti
taskforce, GGOC have announced the commencement of the 2006 Graffiti
Games. During the Graffiti Games, which begin next week and end in
April 2006, the entire Central Business District has been declared a
“maximum tolerance zone” open to street art of all forms. Unlike the
elitist Commonwealth Games the Graffiti Games will be open to anyone
with a spray-can and a good or bad idea. The entire population of
Victoria, as well as interstate and international visitors, are
encouraged to compete. Although all who take part, and the public at
large, will be winners in this tournament the Graffiti Games Organising
Committee will also be awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze medals to the
most popular entrants in various categories.
These will include -
(a) Most Elaborate Stencil Piece
(b) Funniest Slogan
(c) Largest Graffiti Piece
(d) Most Daring Placement
(e) Best Caricature of the Mayor or other City Of Melbourne Councillor
(f) Most Seditious Piece

To be eligible all competitors must photograph their work and send it
in to the Games website at http://www.graffitigames2006.com where it
will be exhibited to the public, who will in turn be asked to vote for
their favourite pieces. For obvious reasons the locations of the street
art will not be announced on the site although we encourage
Melbournians to keep their eyes out for exciting new works in the
months to come. Those currently logging on to the website will also be
able to download Graffiti Games stencils and information on council
policies, etc.
Let the games commence!
For further information contact Michael Stewart or
check out the website.