Talk:Tag:artwork type=graffiti

Undocumented tag: difference between graffiti and mural

I have created this page to document this tag and try to clarify the difference between graffiti (artwork_type=graffiti) and mural (artwork_type=mural). Mural techniques include fresco, mosaic, graffiti and marouflage (see Mural on Wikipedia).

I will open a discussion in the community forum to discuss how to explain the difference (if any). --Dcapillae (talk) 16:51, 15 April 2023 (UTC)

Also posted on the Tagging mailing list.--Dcapillae (talk) 18:06, 16 April 2023 (UTC)

When not to map

I have added a first draft for a this new section about when not to map graffiti due to its temporality or illegality. Suggestions? (I think it would be convenient not to go into too much explanations and not to establish strict rules, just enough for the local mapper to understand this problem). Dcapillae (talk) 12:06, 4 May 2023 (UTC)

P.S.: Related discussion on the OSM Community forum. --Dcapillae (talk) 12:16, 4 May 2023 (UTC)

"the aspect of its temporality and legality should be taken into account before adding it to the map. " @Dcapillae: - I am confused why. It is 100% fine to map illegally existing building, why not to do it with grafitti? I understand why mapping say Christian place of worship in Saudi Arabia would be a terrible idea but why in which case mapping grafitti should not be done? Mateusz Konieczny (talk) 12:30, 13 June 2024 (UTC)

The page does not say that they should not be mapped, it only says that it can be a problematic aspect to consider. This point was previously discussed in the community forum in order to avoid setting standards that are too strict and may not be valid throughout the world. In Malaga, for example, I have mapped hundreds of murals and graffiti made without permission. Dcapillae (talk) 16:37, 13 June 2024 (UTC)

Why it would be a problematic aspect? Why it should be considered? Mateusz Konieczny (talk) 20:24, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

This tag should be used to map an artwork (graffiti), not to map vandalism. The line between a artwork and vandalism is not always entirely clear when we talk about graffiti. Where I live, for example, there is a police anti-graffiti group that goes after graffiti vandalism. Is this an artwork or is it simple urban vandalism? Determining what is art or what is not can be problematic. The documentation does not enter into this debate, it only states that this problem should be considered, and it leaves the question open for local mappers to decide. It is not so much a problem of OpenStreetMap conventions as a problem of what we consider an artwork (by us and by the law). A difficult problem to solve! Dcapillae (talk) 04:31, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

Main picture isn't example of graffiti ?

I'm not 100% sure but as far as I understand the explanation on this page the picture shouldn't be considered as an example of graffiti but instead a mural. I'm finding this confusing to be honest.

When lettering is the main element, it is considered graffiti. In the main picture, the highly stylised text is the main element. In this case, the graffiti also includes a figurative element accompanying the text. Dcapillae (talk) 08:09, 28 February 2026 (UTC)