Sunday, August 21, 2011

Aaron Brothers Targeted Over Graffiti Back-to-School Supplies

Aaron Brothers Targeted Over Graffiti Back-to-School Supplies

A promotional sign posted in the window an Aaron Brothers store advertises the controversial "Artrageous" campaign. (KTLA-TV)
A promotional sign posted in the window an Aaron Brothers store
advertises the controversial "Artrageous" campaign. (KTLA-TV)

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A back-to-school campaign is drawing criticism for encouraging graffiti among school-aged children.

The campaign, dubbed by the art-retailer Aaron Brothers as "Artrageous," is hosting free events and giving out free "graffiti starter kits" to participants.

The kits include markers and paper.

But city council members are calling the move outrageous by promoting an act of vandalism as art.

Councilman Dennis Zine introduced a resolution this week trying to stop the company from hosting the events, slated for September, claiming kids may be tempted use the tools for illegal reasons.

"What they're doing is promoting tagging, graffiti and trying to call it art," Zine told KTLA. "It's not art when your putting a mark on people's property and public property."

Aaron Brothers released a statement Saturday on the controversy, saying the program is "designed to celebrate and encourage artistic expression of artists" and the company does not "support or encourage vandalism of public or private property in any form."

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