On the value of vandalism: an appraisal of art and the politics of defacement

Abstract

Monuments of culture and history have been either catalysts or casualties of war and crises; they are often vandalised as reactionary acts of protest against dominant powers and oppressive states and history. This reality, juxtaposed with the ongoing vandalism of monuments during global crises, prompts the following questions: Why do cultural monuments bear the brunt of vandals and protesters? What drives vandalism? Is there any value in vandalism? This article explores the tensions between art and vandalism, focusing on elucidating any potential value in the act of destruction. I begin by presenting various theoretical perspectives on art and vandalism to provide a multidimensional view of the act. Next, I delve into the drivers of vandalism, examining the motivations and psychology behind these actions. Finally, I discuss the concept of value in the context of art and vandalism. While vandalism has traditionally been viewed in a negative light, I conclude that it possesses intrinsic value, particularly in how artists have conceptually explored the aesthetics of destruction in their creative processes and in the impact of vandalism on sociopolitical structures of communication.