deface
verb

- to damage and spoil the appearance of something by writing or drawing on it

- to mar the face, features, or appearance of; to spoil or ruin the figure, form, or beauty of; to disfigure

Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "deface" originates from Middle English defacen, which in turn comes from the Old French defacier or desfacier, meaning "to mutilate, destroy, disfigure". This Old French term is derived from the prefix des- meaning "away from" and the Late Latin facia, which refers to the face or surface of something.

The term has been used in English since the mid-14th century, initially meaning "to obliterate" (for instance, writing) and later "to mar the face or surface of" something. The concept of defacing involves damaging or spoiling the appearance of something, often in a visible or conspicuous manner, such as through vandalism or graffiti.

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ART UNDER ATTACK

Defacement of art as a form of activism is a provocative, yet ultimately ineffective, strategy. While the urgency of climate change and other global issues demands attention, targeting cultural treasures undermines the very causes activists seek to highlight. Recent incidents, such as the defacement of a Monet painting in Paris and the vandalism at the Tate Modern in London, have sparked widespread condemnation. These actions not only alienate potential allies but also force museums to adopt stringent security measures, distancing them from the public they serve.

Museums, as guardians of culture and history, have a responsibility to protect their collections. However, the increasing trend of art vandalism places them in a difficult position, potentially leading to restricted access to artworks and strained relationships with lenders. This tension highlights the need for activists to reconsider their tactics. Constructive dialogue, engagement, and collaboration offer more promising avenues for effecting change than acts of destruction that breed distrust.

The defacement of art collections is a reminder of the critical role museums play in society: to serve as platforms for open and respectful discussion. In the end, the defacement of art is not the answer; the purpose of art should be to build bridges, not to burn them.

Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

batter, besmirch, blemish, blot (out), blotch, blur, bruise, butcher, contort, corrupt, cross out, cut, damage, debase, DEFACE, defile, deform, degrade, desecrate, despoil, disfigure, efface, erase, expunge, harm, hurt, impair, injure, maim, mangle, mangulate, mar, mess up, mutilate, obliterate, scar, scorch, scrape, scratch (out), scrub, soil, sour, spoil, stain, stamp across, sully, taint, tarnish, vandalize, violate, vitiate, wreck

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“I’m feeling increasingly uncomfortable seeing city walls and street signs DEFACED with graffiti.”

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