Don't Mess With Debbie

Comparable to honor among thieves, there is respect among street artists ... or at least should be. I mean, at the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules, and it's all arguably "vandalism" to many people's minds, but if someone creates something that they obviously are proud of, maybe think twice before you mess with it. Witness the retributions certain real estate developers recently had to pay back to the 5 Pointz artists as an example. 

Now Shepard Fairey's mural at Bleecker & Bowery, one that first surfaced in 2017, based on a photograph taken by Bobby Grossman, may not qualify as bona fide "street art," as I believe it was officially commissioned -- if that makes any difference -- but it's a still a lovingly rendered portrait. I had my misgivings with the preceding mural of Joey Ramone at that spot (the one of him wearing boxing gloves), but I'm of the impression that everyone was pretty on board with this homage to Blondie. 

Well, evidently, that's not the case. In passing by the painting this morning, I noticed that someone tagged Debbie's lovely neck, and rather lamely at that.

Regardless of what you think of Shepard Fairey, don't mess with Debbie Harry.