Showerthought: The debate about tagging vs. leaving no trace in abandoned malls

I keep seeing fresh spray paint in places like the old Sunrise Mall food court, which ruins the vibe of decay for me. Some explorers say tagging is part of the history now, but I think it's just vandalism that wrecks the original feel. I found a pristine 1980s movie theater poster in a back room there last month, untouched because no one had marked up the walls. Where do you stand on people leaving their mark in these spaces?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugo64521h ago

My uncle used to work security at the old Valley View Plaza before it got sealed up. He said the worst part of his patrols wasn't the broken glass or the quiet, it was watching some kid spray a giant cartoon character over the original mosaic tile work near the entrance. It felt like erasing the last bit of dignity the place had left, you know? He'd find soda cans from the 90s still on a counter and it was like a time capsule, but then you'd turn a corner and see some bright orange tag from last week. It just clashes.

beth55914h ago

Saw the same thing at the old mall food court.