Considering the fact that vandalism is the intentional destruction of someone else's property, it should not be condoned in any way, however, if it exists anyway, we may as well appreciate some of the more creative work that vandals have done. The most well-known graffiti artist in the world, Banksy, has made a career out of vandalizing public property, but due to the subject matters that he focuses on, his vandalism is considered to be art. I'm not saying that all vandals are artists, but some of them do put quite a bit of thought behind their "projects". The following are 40 of some of the most well-thought-out acts of vandalism that will make us appreciate the wit of a vandal.
1. "Caution: History Ahead"
Road signs are a very important way of communicating information to motorists. They help keep drivers out of trouble by letting them know when there is construction ahead or when a road is closed.
Some signs are in place in order for drivers to yield to one another, while others let us know such things as when there are railroad tracks ahead of us. This sign appears to be informing all those around, that up ahead someone is currently sculpting heads similar to those found on Easter Island.
2. "Is It On Me?"
This door has long had a tough time keeping shut. It is always opening up for anyone who will listen. It must have been its transparency that got this door attacked.
The creepy eight-legged addition to this broken window has helped prevent the door from suffering any more unwarranted attacks. I don't know about anyone else, but real or not, I've got no interest in going anywhere near a spider that big.
3. "Heavy Lifting"
Traffic signs, as we've already seen, make a great canvas for vandals. Ever wonder how the blocks for the Easter Island replicas from above got to their final destinations?
Back in the day, there was no machinery to help move heavy objects, most of them were moved by hand via hard-working laborers.
4. "Got Any Aftershave?"
A statue pretty much lives its entire life in the public eye. Once it has been unveiled to the public, the only time a statue is not seen is when it is being restored or refurbished.
Whoever took this photo must have caught this statue in one of his coming-to-life "Night At The Museum" moments. Don't look so shocked. How else is he supposed to keep so smooth all the time?
5. "Replacements"
There are people everywhere who follow the signs and messages that are presented to them, blindly and without question.
In case anyone is looking for the children who were left behind here, there's a chance they're still with protective services.
6. "The Former Ms. Bouvier"
More than half of the world's current population was not even born yet when "The Simpsons" first aired in 1989. When the show does finally air its final episode (probably sometime in the 2050s) the whole world will mourn the loss, but the show's memory will live on in us all.
"The Simpsons" has been so deeply ingrained in our subconsciouses that some vandals can't even walk home without seeing the characters in everything they pass. Whoever is responsible for the maintenance of this shrub should get some non-toxic blue spray paint and finish the job.
7. "Where's Me Pot Of Gold?"
Even though people always seem to be after his lucky charms, Lucky the leprechaun has remained hopeful that one day the attempted lootings will end and he could retire quietly in the Irish hills.
Unbeknownst to Lucky, there has been a 'Bizzaro' version of himself running amuck and releasing secret information as to the real Lucky's whereabouts. Retirement might have to wait just a little bit longer.
8. "Unwinding"
Every country has its own historical statues that act as immortal tributes to those who have achieved the most on behalf of the country that they called home.
Everyone needs something to do during the downtime between battles. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise to see that statues were erected that depict the leaders who first wanted to attempt "around-the-world" adventures. Most of them ended up staying home and "rocking the cradle" instead.
9. "The Fire Swamp"
Walking through the woods on a regular sunny day has the potential to be a creepy experience. There are so many different things that can be lurking behind every corner.
No one conjures up something this terrifying unless they have something important that they're trying to hide. This thing has most likely kept, at least, a few people from passing through.
10. "Enter The Dragon"
While he was alive, Bruce Lee was a legend of martial arts. His style and technique were as unique as he was himself. In death, his legend has continued to grow and his legacy paid tribute to through the work of graffiti artists like this one.
There is only one person other than Bruce Lee who could have been capable of doing something like this, but Chuck Norris has been accounted for down in Houston doing the awesome things that Chuck Norris does.
11. "Banana!"
It has been more than a decade since the minions first burst onto the scene, and although they are the assistants of an evil genius, they have stolen our hearts with their adorable quirkiness and lovable personalities.
Being a minion is not all fun and games like most people think it is. Finding the right evil boss to follow can be a rather trying endeavor, but it is one that all minions must embark upon. They might not be the best at their jobs, but they are loyal, and a minion will give 100% effort every time.
12. "He Knows Kung Fu"
"The Matrix" was undoubtedly one of the best films of the late-90s. Its special effects were groundbreaking, the story and script were second-to-none, and the acting was...well, pretty good.
It seems only fitting that with there being a fourth installment to the franchise set to come out later this year, that we pay homage to Keanu Reeve's second-best film franchise. "Bill and Ted" being number 1, of course.
13. "Bright Ideas"
When most of us see a light bulb we see a device that helps to brighten up a room. It takes a special kind of mind to look at a light bulb and see more than bright spots.
This, of course, is a recreation of the most epic scene from Steven Spielberg's 1982 hit "E.T." This image represents the idea that two living beings from different places can co-exist, and that if they are willing to try, the sky is the limit.
14. "Piecing It All Together"
One of the first video games that most of us probably played is "Tetris". The theory behind the game was quite simple, however, things are usually not as simple as they seem.
"Tetris" was a test of how well we could work under extreme pressure. As the levels progressed, the music would quicken along with the speed at which the pieces would descend on the screen, until eventually, we would crack under the pressure.
15. "The Middle Half Of Mozart's Requiem, If You Please..."
If someone's going to vandalize someone else's property they should at least have the nerve to do it with some class.
This idea is great, but I'm not so sure that this piano will be able to hit the full range of notes needed to play the song. They probably should have painted the top steps as well and stuck the sheet music to the door.
16. "It Tastes Like Feet"
When visiting a new city, in order to stay out of trouble, it is very important to read up on some of the local rules.
In case anyone needs some touch-up lessons on how to walk like Ross, there are refreshers every second Sunday and third Thursday of the month. Only serious "Rosswalkers" allowed. Everyone else can just pivot themselves right out of the room.
17. "That's No Way To Go"
Sadly, the ones who suffer from random acts of vandalism most are usually innocent bystanders who are just trying to mind their own business.
Imagine the shock on the construction worker's face who first comes across this horrific scene. I bet they never expected things to end this way for the cinder blocks that they have been seeing at work, day in day out, for the past few weeks.
18. "Don't Let Go"
There are some acts of vandalism that actually seem to improve upon the condition of the item that has been vandalized. Not just anyone can look at a damaged building and see the potential for something great.
Not all graffiti is meant to make a political statement. Sometimes, graffiti artists just like to show off their talent.
19. "Power Trip"
Graffiti artists are able to do some pretty amazing work with minimal time and materials. Some have even found a way to put a little extra spark into their work.
It's rare to find graffiti that isn't just clever but well done as well. The people on this street should expect a slight "extension" on the local road work because this creative "outlet" has surely "sparked" some municipal rage.
20. "The OG"
Kids these days have many different handheld video game consoles to choose from, but there was a time when there was only one. The original. Much like the first cellphones, the first GameBoy was also much bigger than the options that are available these days.
This is a wonderful tribute to a true pioneer of the video game world. Believe it or not, this is probably a lot closer to the actual scale than most people would think.
21. "Back Off Man, I'm A Scientist"
Walking through the city at night has the potential to make some people rather uncomfortable. If there's been something strange going on in the neighborhood lately, by now, I really hope everyone knows who they are supposed to call.
Ok fine, a fictitious group of brilliant ghost-busting scientists might not be the most realistic option to turn to if something strange that doesn't look too good is occurring down the street. Chances are the police would probably be a bit more helpful. After all, it is their job, and they are real.
22. "And...Voila!"
Ever notice how public restrooms have pictured instructions on how to properly use the facilities and all its amenities?
Finally, someone has put instructions on one of these things. Most people just set the baby down to be sacrificed and leave.
23. "Heeeeeeeere's Jacky!"
As a film and as a novel, "The Shining" has scared the hell out of its audience. There are certain scenes, in both the book and the movie, that were done so brilliantly, that people have been trying to find ways of honoring them any way they can.
Seeing Jack breaking through this door should be enough to make most people socially distance themselves from sheds for the foreseeable future.
24. "Cutting Corners"
Roadwork has long been the subject of vandalism. Wet cement is the easy "go-to" canvas for beginner vandals, however, when a more experienced "artist" gets to work, they tend not to cut any corners with their work.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm pretty sure that using scissors to cut a straight line would be a whole lot easier if everything that we tried to cut had guidelines for where we needed to cut.
25. "One Step At A Time"
One of the most interesting bits of gossip that has come from Sesame Street in the past few decades, was when Cookie Monster gave up cookies and decided instead to lead a healthy life. Like most stories of addiction, things haven't been so easy for good old CM.
Following 3 failed trips to rehab, Cookie Monster had resorted to begging for cookies down at the corner of Sesame Street. Things got so bad for him that he even settled for oatmeal raisin cookies on multiple occasions. Update: Cookie Monster has since been seen in public with The Count and Big Bird, looking healthy and happy. We wish him all the best on his road to recovery.
26. "Tipping Point"
When mailboxes or rubbish bins get knocked over on street corners, we are usually forced to look at the destructive nature of the "accident" for as long as it takes the city to remedy the issue.
It takes a very special kind of person to find a positive twist to put onto an otherwise destructive situation. It looks like this probably started as a friendly game of nudging each other, but ended rather abruptly when one of them got a little bit too overzealous. Remember, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
27. "Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolate"
There are some celebrities who have left a positive and lasting impression on the world. People who have remained humbled by their fans instead of empowered by them. People who have seemingly never let their fame get to their heads. The name of one of these people, in particular, says all we need to say to him...
Tom Hanks has given us countless memorable performances and is sure to give us a few more before he retires. And he just seems like such a great guy, doesn't he? No one wouldn't want to be friends with Tom Hanks.
28. "The Great White North"
Snow is a perfect canvas for vandals who are trying to leave an impression. Most people who live in cold weather countries usually take the liberty of using their own urine to write their names in the snow, but let's be honest that doesn't take a whole lot of brainpower.
Welcome to winter vandalism in Canada. Snow is an opportunity to put a smile on someone's face. If they are going to have to wipe the snow off of their cars anyway, why not have a little fun. The car on the left doesn't seem too pleased, it must belong to the neighborhood "Karen".
29. "Not Again..."
They might not have the longevity of some of the other classic comics like "Peanuts" or "Garfield", but Calvin & Hobbs have been entertaining us by getting into mischief of their own since the mid-80s.
This is definitely something that Calvin & Hobbs would do. They probably wouldn't think too much into it, and then at the point at which they have come to in the picture above, they'd probably realize that their cart has no breaks. Fear not, things always turn out alright for our little friends.
30. "Cause I'm Having A Good Time"
Using pop culture references in one's "work" is usually enough to get the nod of approval from anyone who understands the reference.
This tribute to one of Queen's best songs is fantastic. I just hope that the people in this town are quick enough to understand that this is still a stop sign.
31. "One To Beam Up"
The question as to whether or not we are alone in this universe is one that people have been asking themselves for centuries. There are many stories of people who claim to have been abducted by aliens, but other than their stories there's no proof to back up these claims.
This guy probably thought he was going to have a nice quiet walk to work, where he would be helping his co-workers sculpt a few new additions for the Easter Island exhibit. Little did he know, his life was about to change forever...
32. "It Means No Worries"
Driving around in a foreign country can be overwhelming and confusing. Luckily, there are signs everywhere that tell us what to do and where to go.
A wonderfully hospitable vandal in New Zealand did what they needed to do in order to put travelers at ease. Kiwis even vandalize things with a kind heart.
33. "Never A Dull Moment"
Most people are unaware of all the spare time that kangaroos have during the day. They don't just spend the whole day hopping around the desert. No, they also partake in fun activities to keep themselves entertained during the downtimes.
Desert skiing began as a way for kangaroos to get around in the outback without burning their feet or tails, but it quickly developed into one of the most common activities that roos could be seen doing these days. When visiting Australia, be sure to ask the locals where it's possible to see the sand-skiing Kangaroos.
34. "Handle With Care"
I get it, vandalism is wrong, but there are some acts of vandalism that are simply too adorable to get angry about. When the "act" results in the protection of nature, how could it be wrong?
How could the owner of this building possibly have been upset upon arriving at the scene of this "crime"? If given the chance, this tiny art exhibit is sure to draw large crowds.
35. "Just Dropping In"
When most of us see a cracked concrete wall, that's exactly what we see...a concrete wall with a crack in it. Some people might see the potential to turn the crack into a giant zipper on the side of the building, but others see so much more than that.
The potential that this person was able to see in a crack in the wall, is just unbelievable. The decision to go with the classic 60s Spiderman was the perfect cap to an already great idea.
36. "Open Wide"
Through mini-consoles, classic video games have been making a comeback in recent years. There was one legend of video games, however, that didn't make the cut.
When Pac-Man found out that, not he but his wife, Mrs. Pac-Man had been added to the list of classic games that would be part of the mini-console revolution, well, let's just say he didn't take the news too well. He took his frustration out by binge eating crosswalks all over America.
37. "Nothin' To See Here"
In high school, washroom vandalism usually amounted to someone setting a rubbish bin on fire or causing a flood by flushing all of the toilet paper down the toilet.
On occasion, vandals don't actually destroy anything, they just want to have a good laugh. Not all vandalism is meant to target someone specific, sometimes it's just about leaving a lasting impression.
38. "Let's Just Avoid Them All Together"
On occasion, when altering the words on a warning sign, the new message that the sign gets across is just as, if not more helpful than the original.
Feeding the birds could cause dozens of other birds to converge on the area and has the potential for the foul to become accustomed to people. Feeling the birds, however, has the potential to catch one of the many diseases that the birds carry. I vote for not feeling the birds or feeding them.
39. "Micky D's Drive Thru"
People don't give graffitists and vandals enough credit when it comes to their intelligence. It is usually just assumed that all because someone is capable of committing an act of vandalism, they must have nothing more than an uneducated criminal mind.
I'm not sure if we can even consider this an act of vandalism. This "vandal" clearly has a hang-up about poor grammar.
40. "Some Things Are Better Left Alone"
After seeing 39 of the more intelligent ways in which people have vandalized things, I hope that in the future people will think twice before prejudging these "Einsteins of street art".
This might be the most genius act of them all...