Speaker
Description
Graffiti, as a transformative element of the contemporary urban landscape, plays an important role in the consolidation of cultures and identities. Despite its relevance, the graffiti scene is predominantly male, and women face difficulties in being accepted in this field (Pabón-Colón, 2018), reflecting the oppressions of the patriarchal system (Federici, 2017). Consequently, feminist struggles emerge for greater participation of women in urban development (Muxí, 2018). However, can a graffiti made by a woman transform the landscape of a city's public space? The study investigates how graffiti created by women can transform public space, focusing on two neighborhood: the Santo Cristo of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the Poblenou in Barcelona, Spain, both analyzed in 2024. These areas were chosen for their significant concentration of female interventions and for a significant cultural and artistic activity.
The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, involving Urbanism, Art History, Geography and Design, and uses critical cartography (Cosgrove, 1989) as the basis for mapping female graffiti. The aim is to understand the symbolic impacts of these manifestations on public space, highlighting graffiti as part of the graphic landscape (Till, 2014) and a global artistic phenomenon with local specificities. Furthermore, the research seeks to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and methodological advancement in urban art studies. The central hypothesis is that historical urban sites, are preferred locations for female graffiti artists because they offer visibility and freedom of expression.
The methodology consists of five stages. First, female graffiti artists are identified through social networks and contacts with artists. Then, field visits are made to document the interventions, capturing photographs of the graffiti and analyzing their symbolic and material dimensions, as well as their relationship with the local environment. Subsequently, the collected data is digitally mapped to create georeferenced databases and maps that explore new dimensions of graffiti in the landscape. This data is refined to include information such as authorship, themes and location, and is presented in graphs. Finally, the results are shared with society through scientific dissemination, promoting discussion about the importance of female graffiti.
Preliminary results show that in the Santo Cristo, 23 pieces of graffiti by 12 female artists were identified, while in Poblenou, 7 pieces by 7 artists were found. The interventions are often located on metal gates of shops and near squares and cultural centers, emphasizing their ephemerality and their connection with the liveliness of these spaces. The most common themes include signatures, gender and politics, demonstrating graffiti as an act of resistance by the female artists.
The study also highlights the importance of mapping as a way to legitimize the presence of women in the urban art scene and the construction of the cultural landscape. The methodology employed proved to be effective and replicable in different cities and contexts, allowing for a comparative analysis of urban artistic manifestations. Graffiti, treated as an international phenomenon, reveals how female interventions address global themes that reinforce their presence and struggles for rights.
It is concluded that graffiti created by women is a powerful tool for resistance and transformation. By occupying public space with their interventions, female graffiti artists not only mark their existence but also strengthen the feminist struggles for the right to the city. Despite the barriers faced, their voices resonate on issues of cultural and political relevance, contributing to the creation of a symbolic and graphic landscape that engages with identities and cultures. Thus, the study reaffirms the impact of female graffiti on the urban space, highlighting its relevance as artistic expression and resistance in a global context.
References
Cosgrove, D. (1989) Geography is everywhere: cultural and symbolism in human landscapes. In: Gregory, D. and Walford, R. (eds.), Horizons in human geography. London: Barnes & Noble Books.
Deleuze, Gilles; Guattari, Félix (2021). A Thousand Plateaus: volume 1. São Paulo: Editora 34.
Federici, Silvia (2017). Caliban and the witch: women, the body and primitive accumulation. São Paulo: Editora Elefante.
Gonzaga, Terezinha de Oliveira (2011). The city and architecture also as woman: urban planning, architectural projects, and gender. São Paulo: Annablume.
Lefebvre, Henri (2016). The right to the city. São Paulo: Nebli.
Muxí, Zaida (2018). Women, houses, and cities: beyond the threshold. Barcelona: DPR Barcelona.
Pabón-Colón, Jessica Nydia (2018). Graffiti grrlz: performing feminisperformin Hip Hop diaspora. New York: NYU Press.
Till, Joy Helena Worms (2014). The graphic landscape of the city: a look at Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro: Postgraduate Program in Urbanism, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
| Keywords | urban art; critical cartography; right to the city; cultural landscape |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
