Vox Pop: Graffiti artists obscuring warning signs

Beijing's municipal government has painted warning lines under bridges and low-lying areas in the city since the devastating July 21 storm to measure water levels in the event of flooding. But some of the signs have been obscured by graffiti and become unrecognizable.

Do you agree with what graffiti artists have done? Do you consider graffiti in this case "art" or detrimental to public safety? Have you noticed the warning signs under bridges? What should be done with graffiti that obscures the warning signs? Has graffiti caused controversy in your home country? Xiang Xiangping hit the streets to find out.

Isabelle Brison, painter, Brazil

Art is important for the development of a metropolis like Beijing, but people's safety should come first. Graffiti artists should have a certain awareness of responsibility that they are first citizens in this city and then artists who can bring beauty to it.

Ruth Jones, freelance writer, US

Art should be created freely. On the road, however, nothing is more critical than the safety of people. How can graffiti artists expect to keep their colorful designs when storms hit? Are people's lives less important than graffiti? I think the graffiti in these instances should be removed.

Jean Pera, student, Ireland

I haven't noticed much regarding the warning signs up until now. Some graffiti on the walls near my school looks pretty cool. Furthermore, it's in a place where people can enjoy art freely. Public signage is essential, so wrongly-placed graffiti might as well be cleared.

Stella Brown, housewife, Britain

Everyone can do whatever they like as long as they don't infringe on other people's benefits. Obviously, graffiti in areas with warning signs will cause trouble for drivers and hinder their judgment of roads on rainy days. Authorities need to communicate better with graffiti artists. After all, these warning signs are for the artists' own good, too.

Liu Wei, taxi driver, China

I don't like graffiti because it has no use at all. It is just a boring form of entertainment for young people nowadays who regard public safety as a joke. Authorities should remove their "masterpieces" from walls or bridges in the city to make the city cleaner.

Elisa Rather, music teacher, Canada

Clear signage is important for motorists during storms. Public signage should take priority over art. In the town where I live in Canada, artists usually paint at designated squares or deserted buildings.

Olivia Salles, tourist, Denmark

We can handle this matter in a reasonable way. Graffiti shouldn't cover warning signs, yet it can still appear in other parts of the city to let it take on a cultural and fashionable appearance.

Lee Ji-min, student, South Korea

Maybe people on both sides should see things from different perspectives. I think art can be embraced in any situation if handled properly. Competitions could even be held for signage design to invite artists to express their creativity.