Despite his absence from the Los Angeles graffiti scene in recent years, an artist known as Actual couldn’t resist the opportunity to take part in a monumental graffiti effort at an abandoned development in the city. The Oceanwide Plaza development, which was abandoned in 2019, has been transformed with eye-catching graffiti covering dozens of floors, capturing worldwide attention and sparking discussions about urban blight and foreign investment. To the graffitists and experts, this “bombing” is more than a stunt or a crime – it’s a historic moment, a culture landmark that has taken the art form to new heights, quite literally.
Despite the undeniable rise of graffiti to the mainstream, the debate over whether it is art or vandalism has been reignited by this bold act. The effort, however, has not been without controversy, as legal repercussions for the graffitists are already underway. Although some have condemned the artists for their actions, others see the graffiti as a powerful commentary on the state of Los Angeles and the failure of oversized development. The artists themselves are split on their motivations, with one expressing the thrill of the project’s high visibility in the heart of the city, while another sees it as a way to reclaim the city for its young residents.
For those involved, the opportunity to transform the abandoned development with vibrant graffiti was simply too good to pass up. However, as the legal and social implications of their actions continue to unfold, these graffitists have reignited an age-old debate about the nature of their art and its place in society.
