Art, Graffiti, or What?

The people of Des Moines, Iowa have a new outdoor painting to admire. But is the nude figure — part of which is shown below the fold — art, graffiti, or what?

Like many communities, Des Moines is trying to revive its downtown by turning part of it into a center for cultural activities. Artists are turning vacant store fronts into galleries and studios. The result has met with mixed reaction:

A painting of a nude woman on the side of a downtown Des Moines building has raised eyebrows, elicited smirks and forced city inspectors to determine whether it's art or graffiti.

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City leaders, so far, have not made a determination if the painting must come down.

Art that promotes a business is often considered an advertisement that requires a permit while graffiti is strictly prohibited.

The painting was commissioned partly by the makers of Red Bull energy drink. A graffiti artist and others started the project during a Saturday night party at their galleries at 1408 Locust St. The group had permission from the building's owner, Brommel said.

City leaders complain that the work looks too much like graffiti.

"I'd rather it's not there, to be perfectly honest," said City Councilwoman Christine Hensley, who has passed on complaints to the inspectors.

Judge for yourself, is this art, or graffiti?