LEGAL WALLS

In Austria, „damage to property by graffiti“ was reported 4,585 times in 2013.

More than half of all offences are reported in Vienna, with the provinces following at a considerable distance. The clearing up rate is in the long-term average Austria-wide at about 20 percent, the damages go annually into the millions. Spraying can be lethal. Especially with underground railways or railway lines, there is a danger from high-voltage lines or approaching trains. High penalties – lifelong consequences. In fact, this „kick“ is a criminal offense. Damage to property (§ 125 StGB) and serious damage to property (§ 126 StGB) are involved here, points out the Austrian insurance association VVO. Penalties ranging from six months to five years are envisaged. Not to be forgotten are also the civil law actions of the injured parties, which the perpetrator often cannot repay for a lifetime due to the high damage.

For some it is the reaction and the drug-like thrill of spraying. The acceptance and definition of graffiti varies. While unauthorized graffiti is usually considered a form of vandalism in public perception, especially in the western world, it is also recognized by others as a form of art. However, both are not mutually exclusive.

In any case, everyone has to know for himself what he is doing and what risks are taken.
Here you have the possibility to live out your creativity legally.

Vienna is a city of cultural openness, lived tolerance and humanitarian commitment. We are committed to cultural diversity, cultural openness, enabling and allowing. The City of Vienna supports the diversity of artistic forms of expression; in addition to traditional cultural sites, youth culture also finds its place in this city. Graffiti is one of the most visible, certainly also one of the most discussed forms of expression of youth culture. Graffiti is art, but graffiti is also criticism and rebellion, and like all art, it deals with the social situation in a sometimes uncomfortable way. The WienerWand project, with the installation of new legal graffiti walls, is intended to support this practice of art and to promote the dialogue between writers and the public. In many cities graffiti is seen as a purely criminal act that can only be countered by strict prohibitions. We are convinced that tolerance and a discussion supported by all sides is the better way.

 

On this map you can find all legal graffiti areas in the federal state of Vienna and Austria.

Leagal Spot in Vienna – it´s called „Wienerwand“ and is signed with a dove.

Wienerwand (sometimes spelled WienerWand) is a youth project of the City of Vienna, which aims to enable artists from the graffiti scene to live out their work in public space in a non-criminalised setting. Since 2005, a total of 22 walls have been made available citywide under the organisation of the Municipal Department 13 (Education and Out-of-School Youth Services), which may be freely sprayed. A special feature is the identification by a plaque with a stylized dove and the lettering WIENERWAND.

 

>> Legal Walls of Vienna <<

Despite careful research, it is recommended to check on site before painting to see if the surface can still be painted legally.
All information without guarantee.