It's rare that I have any complaints about Star Wars Insider, but the article on "street art" (otherwise known as "vandalism") in the current issue (#83) bothered me.

The article was well-written and I understand its aim was to show the interesting ways Star Wars has infiltrated the culture as well as the seemingly unlimited creativity of its fans. Fine. I understand that the "artists" interviewed combine familiar images from a variety of sources to create new ideas. Fine. There's a long artistic tradition of doing just that, whether it's pop art or collaging. Some of the guys featured in the article seem to be talented. Fine.

But what they are doing is illegal. Whether you consider it legit art or not, taking some spray paint and marking up a building or highway overpass or a school or a house is vandalism. If you go out and do it and you are caught, you will be arrested and you (or your parents if you are a minor) will have to pony up a fine and restitution to the property owner.

The article mentions these activities are illegal but much of it makes "street art" look cool. It even tries to justify the activities of these artists. The worst thing about it is that this piece appeared in an official, licensed publication...it gives the impression that Lucasfilm encourages vandalism so long as it's Star Wars-themed vandalism. There isn't even a lousy disclaimer that the magazine, the fan club, or Lucasfilm does not advocate or approve of these activities. So one can imagine some bored kids hanging around one night, reading the Insider, and deciding to go make some Star Wars "street art" in their neighborhood. It was an irresponsible decision to publish the story. What's next? One on homemade drug paraphenalia?