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The Democratic Potential of Artistic Expression in Public Space: Street Art and Graffiti as Rebellious Acts

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Street Art of Resistance

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture ((PASCC))

Abstract

This chapter explores the graffiti and street art that occurs throughout Danish cities. Focusing on political and social issues, the motivation for engaging in these practices is analyzed. Through semi-structured interviews with Danish graffiti artists, this chapter aims at exploring the thoughts, ideas, and narratives of the artists.

In a discussion about the political elements of graffiti and street art, a few street art works found in Danish cities are presented. From these works originates an analysis introducing the reader to some of the political and social issues that are of growing concern in the Danish society. This analysis forms the foundation of the idea of the democratic potential of graffiti and street art, in which artistic practices are turned into democratic tools.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A district in Northern Copenhagen.

  2. 2.

    For photos of the artworks mentioned above, go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/05/29/world-cup-2014-anti-fifa-graffiti-brazil_n_5408811.html

  3. 3.

    A welfare service to financially support students while they study (Olsen et al., 2014).

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Nielsen, C.S. (2017). The Democratic Potential of Artistic Expression in Public Space: Street Art and Graffiti as Rebellious Acts. In: Awad, S., Wagoner, B. (eds) Street Art of Resistance. Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63330-5_13

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