Subconscious Art? Or an Advent Calendar Opening?

Most of what I had scheduled for today cancelled, so by 4pm dusk was falling and I didn’t have a blip.  Fortunately Tivoli has started a new project for those who celebrate: “Advent Calendar” views in honor of Arachne, whose photographs of geometries of line, depth, and light bedeck her journals. I am tickled by Tivoli’s idea, and I admire Sara Evans’ “human element” and SpotsOfTime’s perfectly bricked-up doorway. What, I wondered, does Portland have to offer? Not Portland Stone, which is a product of the UK. Not Portland Cement, most of which is made in Michigan. 

I went out for a walk, and I found it! “Graffiti Abatement” provides work for several local government agencies and numerous local businesses hiring over 200 people. At least one non-profit organization exists to champion graffiti as a tourist attraction, and they have a website with a brilliantly-constructed embedded video (14 minutes) praising the “Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal." It wasn't till I watched it more than half the way through that I realized it was a mockery. No wonder it won awards.

Here’s an example of the kind of work they’re talking about in that video. What do you think? Art? NotArt?