Political ‘Street Art’ in Dublin City – Photos

by WHITE NOISE Wed Apr 21, 2004 19:17

now exhibiting on a wall, lamp-post, post-box, window, ATM, or building site in near you!

by RED NOISE Wed Apr 21, 2004 19:23

now exhibiting on a wall, lamp-post, post-box, window, ATM, or building site in near you!

by BLACK NOISE Wed Apr 21, 2004 19:26

now exhibiting on a wall, lamp-post, post-box, window, ATM, or building site in near you!

by PARTY NOISE Wed Apr 21, 2004 19:29

now exhibiting on a wall, lamp-post, post-box, window, ATM, or building site in near you!

by eoin - no org Wed Apr 21, 2004 20:23

some of those are really irresponsible,
"this city burns" !!!!!!!!!!
no it will not.
what sort of idiot thinks that they achieve anything like that. well any thing besides making everyone from the left look like looneys.
Any one i see needlessly causing trouble for other people will have to deal with me first.

by Eoin G Wed Apr 21, 2004 23:55

I really don't like the "this city will burn" because we are trying to make people know about our movement and cause. This just makes us look like a pack of mad bastards and scare of the public. When I saw this on the wall I thought it was done by a plant. It just creates an atmosphere that lets the police crush us. I am afraid of having to up against police+army+mabey tanks and this doesnt help.

by confirmation Thu Apr 22, 2004 02:21

Thanks for confirming to the Herald and the Indo and the rest of the sleeze media just what they have been saying all along.

the 'Anarchists' want a fight on May Day and the police are totally justified in their (future) violence.

Thanks.

by 1 of Grassroots Thu Apr 22, 2004 02:37

The slogans about burning things are definitely not by the grassroots. All the grassroots posters advertise particular events. The stuff about burning is either by a provocateur (cop) or by an individual or tiny group of people.

by or.... Thu Apr 22, 2004 04:52

'The stuff about burning is either by a provocateur (cop) or by an individual or tiny group of people.'

or maybe just a tiny group of provocateur cops?

get serious, these 'anarchist' children need to grow up and know that politics is a serious game. This is not about rebelling against your parents, you know?

by Tone Ore Thu Apr 22, 2004 05:45 toneore at eircom dot net

Ah, right. Of course. A "provocateur (cop)" must have done this. Ah, insight from "the streets". Thanks for clarifying. Except there is nothing to distinguish between any of these "statements" whether it has the word "burn$" in it, or not. Grassroots, me hole.

Gerry Ryan on 2FM identified this behaviour pattern as the "You're Not the Boss of Me" syndrome (you need to say it in an angst-ridden studenty "Kevin The Teenager" type accent to get the whole deal on intent). Most of us grow out of it. Some clearly don't.

And so, here we go again. That inviolate godhead of "street art". Vandalism, masquerading as some sort of alternative, independent (of who?) voice for the "voiceless". Yes, that convenient media agent for "popular" political agitation, free of repressive, capitalist ideology (impossible). They tell us it's the voice of the streets, of the kids, of real people, of the key issues, of the er, "grassroots". This so-called "art" provides a handy device for the intellectual tyrants (and clearly artistically challenged) to interpret everyone else's lives and criticize every damn facet of the community except them. Meanwhile, this cloak of socio-political infallibility provides them with the means them to appear aloof from "authority" while maintaining an ideological position even when they are proven wrong. Hip-hop, anyone? "Strike a pose", says Madonna. Indeed, they have. A pose to deny the reality that the rest of us harness every day to get on our lives.

Whoever did this is well anointed to rub shoulders with other charlatans. The middle class white people running around Central America in their doc martens, making "documentaries" of poor people eating beans. The self-appointed lecturers about "anarchism". The writers about the "struggle" against "globalisation". The "reclaimers" of this, of that, and of the other (from no one in particular). The people who spend more time worrying about whether TCD Students Union will ban Coca-Cola than about the daily concerns and stresses of your average mother or old person afraid to leave their home because of gangs of bullies lurking nearby. The critical mass devotees who would have us believe that bicycles are some kind of proto-ploughshares-from-swords vanguard of societal change ("Skateboarding is not a crime". Correct. It's not even remotely subversive, you m-f.). The veterans of Seattle, Cancun, Genoa (wonder did they fly RyanAir?), Dublin May Day and the poll tax. Many thought they would never come to agree with someone like Tom Cooney of UCD, but his phrase "exotic irrelevancy" really applies to these reactionaries. For that is what you are.

This scribbling on walls is just more of the same dishonest, narcissistic, hypocritical message. Indicative of a small group of character-resentment ridden windbags, a faction that has become a byword for knee jerk reaction, blinkered thinking, distorted facts, unattributed information, lies, hysteria and opinionated pontificating. A deluded, paranoid world of conjectured association and never established causation. I doubt an gardaî would even be arsed.

by Mrs Doyle Thu Apr 22, 2004 12:47

..but I know what I like. And I love a bit of street art. ’Tis great. I can't see what everyone's getting so high and mighty about. JC Decaux, More O'Farrell Adshell and their ilk are the real vandals and purveyors of visual pollution. Lighten up on the street artists, fair play to ’em. Or is it that you only want "approved" messages in this battle for freedom of expression, among other things. Cripes, it'll be closing down the galleries next. I'm glad to see that street art does have the power to provoke such reactions. Tag, tag, tag...

by jeff Thu Apr 22, 2004 14:34

The majorety of people want a peaceful protest, the Gardai and Bertie want NO PROTEST.

And now some of these pics have petrol bombs on them. Not clever in the lead up to something like this.

I love provocation, but the Filth that is the Gardai and media are going to jump like rats on an injured animal when they see this. I hope IMC editors can take down the pics that look a bit violent, because the may 1st rally is a major test run for the future of free assembly in Ireland...

by Joe Thu Apr 22, 2004 14:44

I'm sure whoever is putting these up means well and is simply reflecting the 'riot chic' of the tabloids and Sky News. They are obviously not connected with either of the organisations organising stuff on Mayday or they'd have realised that their 'exciting' images are ***really*** not what is needed right now. And that they have probably managed to provide some more food for the right-wing tabloid journalists they almost certainly despise.

by Fighting Irish Thu Apr 22, 2004 15:19

I'm no copper and I'm no outside agitator, but there has to be a case for the use of petrol bombs in order to achieve ends which can be met in no other way. Is there no place for violent struggle in Ireland, do the working people of Ireland and the world not require freedom by any means necessary.

The various Irish revolutionary movements talk up a storm and walk up a storm as they have been doing in ever diminishing numbers since the birth of the state with no effect. What type of actions catapulted the anti-globalisation movement into the media limelight? Violent actions that attacked capitalism and took the battle to the streets. If the world sees that the people of Ireland are willing to fight for justice that sends a powerful message. Forget about PR you are playing their game.

Break the chains of oppression.

by Joe Thu Apr 22, 2004 15:38

I didn't say you were a 'copper' and I've never been sure what an 'outside agitator' is. However you are surely aware that the state has decided that its best srtategy is to 'hype the violence' in order to justify an effective ban on demonstrations on the day itself.

Like it or not you are providing justification for this ban, I'm sure PJ Stone will be waving the photos around in the future as proof of a conspiracy. Your probably no more involved in the organisation of the protests than 'the Slate' was involved in RTS but you'll provide a useful excuse for some baton swinging on the day.

Does this mean your wrong in all situations? No, but I think you answer the question yourself when it comes to the specific circumstances of 9 days time. You write "If the world sees that the people of Ireland are willing to fight for justice that sends a powerful message."

Your right, if 'the people of Ireland' came out and stormed Farmleigh it would send a powerful message. But this isn't going to happen in 9 days time. Right now 'the people of Ireland' might be suspicious of the direction of the EU but there is large gap between this and taking to the barricades.

And the simple fact is that in order to minimise the number of 'the people of Ireland' even willing to come out and march the state is 'hyping the violence'. They are trying to scare people into staying at home.

Anyway the bottom line is the both DGN and AEIP are organising events that are not compatable with petrol bombs, real or imagined. It's a big city, if you really believe 'the people of Ireland' are ready for your insurrection then please do it somewhere removed from the rest of us.

by random Thu Apr 22, 2004 16:38

Pity that the 'culture defines gender'. a thought provoking use pf spray paint was badly scrawled over with what resembles a tabloid headline.

Respect the street art of others.

by David Thu Apr 22, 2004 16:49

You can't destroy institutions with petrol bombs, you only make them stronger. We might not like bertie, but if he was to be hurt by a protestor the state would use that as an excuse to go fascist, its a many headed Hydra, there's no point in chopping off its heads. I'm not sure how we could actually threaten capitalism, but it would require a critical mass of public awareness or an overwhelming use of force, and we're not really about using violence to force change, although thats different from defending any changes we've secured.

I really dont think anything can be gained by throwing petrol bombs at police but there would be a huge amount to lose

by Slayer - Fifth International Thu Apr 22, 2004 17:08

There won't be a building left standing by the time we're finished.

No pasaran!!

by Fighting Irish Thu Apr 22, 2004 17:35

I agree that there is very little likelihood of the Irish coming out to storm Farmleigh or to man the barricades. However if we’re in this to make a difference on a global scale, and all the arguments used by the left 'anti-EU' are global (fortress Europe, migration, ect.), we shouldn't care about the reactionary Irish people or media. If they are willing, and they are, to sit back in their ill-gotten paradise then we should use whatever means necessary to highlight our point.

We should not be fighting for the hearts and minds of the Irish middle class; we should be fighting for the issues that are important to the world. The Irish have and will benefit from the extension of the EU and its consolidation under the latest treaty less fortunate are those who are on the receiving end of SAP's, the CAP, and the common external tariff.

David shows us the cycle we are trapped in too much agitation and the ruling class turn to Louis Napoleon to use strong arm tactics, if the fear of reprisals and dictatorship stops you from fighting the good fight then maybe you should stay at home. We must break the cycle of hegemony, we must fight.

by Mrs Doyle Thu Apr 22, 2004 17:37

....I blame all the violence on telly, at the pictures and on them feckin' video games meself.

by Joe Thu Apr 22, 2004 17:58

That's not much of a strategy you have there. Changing the world takes time and requires we engage people where they are at not where we would like them to be.

by genius Thu Apr 22, 2004 19:15

tone ore you are a genuis. there is no point in having a point because that point is undermined by the point and by having it.

by Fighting Irish Fri Apr 23, 2004 13:49

You're right, we must appeal only to the sensibilities of the middle class as they are the only ones who can get change. However the changes we stress and want are ones that would materially damage any middle class grouping. So we do nothing but talk and walk.

by Joe Fri Apr 23, 2004 13:52

Huh?
(as in that's not what I said and you know it)

by Fighting Irish Fri Apr 23, 2004 13:55

Well maybe not exactly, but it was implied by your unwillingness to consider the benefits to the world at large of using other tactics.

by Joe Fri Apr 23, 2004 13:59

sorry this still makes no sense. To be honest you appear to be troting out the stand lefty retort used to dismiss an opinion they disagree with.

by Fighting Irish Fri Apr 23, 2004 14:19

Sorry you seem to have lost yourself, I am proposing that we consider engaging in violence to further the resonance of our protest. Go it so far. This would be deeply unpopular in Ireland, the government and the right would be reactionary and would engage in suppression and the left would be upset because it wasn't all talking and walking and their cosy, fragmented position would be upset. However the goals which we profess, Justice for the developing world, end of fortress Europe ect. would be heard on a global scale actually reaching those that we hope to help and showing the world that we believe what we say.

You then responded by saying this wasn't much of a strategy as it take time to change the world. I never said anything about changing the structure of the world economic system through these isolated actions I only said that we could make no difference by marching and talking or we could MAKE our voices heard. Also as is clear from my comments I don't think much of the strategy being proposed.

by Joe Fri Apr 23, 2004 14:39

If your no lefty you might want to avoid the traditional lefty catch all dismissal of 'middle class' in future. Makes you sound like a trot.

I think see where the difference lies. You are arguing for a short term result designed to encourage those in struggle outside the west (I presume this is where you want our voices heard?). I'm arguing for a longer term strategy based on buiding a movement in Ireland capable of supporting these struggles as part of carrying on our own. A strategy at the basis of 'be a Zapatista wherever you are', the call that came out of Chiapas in 1994.

by Chris Morris Fri Apr 23, 2004 20:14

Isn't that a quote from Brasseye?

by PINK NOISE Mon Apr 26, 2004 03:49

- photos -

by ..... Fri Apr 30, 2004 13:58

well if Gerry Ryan identifies it then it must be so......

by Fergal Fri Apr 30, 2004 16:04

I'd give him a good clip round the ear.

by Noise Hacker Sun Aug 15, 2004 03:44

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