The tools of engagement : tactics and strategies employed for the creation of alternative places, spaces, and modes of citizenship within the Montreal graffiti subculture

This thesis argues there are alternatives to how people share spaces and places, challenge the status quo, subvert dominant representations, truths, rules, and regulations imposed by the socio-economic power holders in contemporary urban society. Some people seek alternative ways of identifying themselves and relating to the city that they live in through transgressive behaviour like graffiti writing. Graffiti writing is understood as a subversive literary practice that parts the dominant order of representations and. ideological dogmatism of the celebration of property to create alternative spaces in the everyday where individuals can express unique opinions, thoughts, and worldviews outside of the monological dictate of official facts or truths. In creating these utopian spaces, graffiti writers have contributed greatly to the politics of free speech and expression. The first chapter focuses on everyday tactics employed by graffiti writers in the creation of utopian or alternative spaces. The second chapter looks at alternative places where graffiti is practiced and some of the strategic moves made to gain a greater foothold in the historical project of the city. The third chapter examines alternative modes of citizenship by looking at graffiti as an act of citizenship and as part of the practice of being an active citizen. Ultimately it is argued that there is as much beauty as there is destruction in graffiti and that there are positive solutions or possibilities for writers to become active members of their communities