In 2021, the Institute of Conflict Research (IKF), together with the Democracy Center Vienna (DZ) and Judith Laister and Sabrina Stranzl from the University of Graz, carried out the project "If I can't spray, it's not my revolution! Global citizenship education through participative graffiti workshops with girls". The participative project combines workshops related to SDG 5 - keyword: global problem of violence against girls and women as a human rights violation - with artistic (graffiti) and media workshops. The workshop concept was implemented with three youth centers in Vienna (girls' center *peppa), St. Pölten (Steppenwolf) and Graz (association mafalda/girls' center Ja.m). A graffiti was created at each of the three locations.
GIRL POWER
Sabrina Stranzl, St. Pölten, 2021
The graffiti "Girl Power" was created at the Steppenwolf youth center in St. Pölten - a large sun in the background. The graffiti was sprayed on a wall of the youth center, in front of which there is a table with benches. This corner is often occupied by boys - with the graffiti the girls have reclaimed this space.
MY BODY MY CHOICE
Sabrina Stranzl, Graz, 2021
Attached to a billboard in public space, the young women of the association mafalda and the girls’ center Ja.m in Graz sprayed the slogan "My Body My Choice" - girls and women should decide independently about themselves, their bodies and their lives! Next to it you can see a portrait of the character Maleficent from the movie of the same name, which exemplifies positive representation of strong women in film.
MI PUEBLO ES TU PUEBLO - MY VILLAGE IS YOUR VILLAGE
Dalia Soliman, Buenos Aires, 2018
The photo was taken in the district of Villa 20, one of Buenos Aires informal urban settlements and this words caught my attention as they stood in direct opposite to the neighborhood that seemed rather hopeless and not welcoming.
ENJOY LIFE
Natalie Perné, Klagenfurt (Austria), 2021
Walking under this bridge, you go from the sun into the shadow. You wonder who seeks shelter from rain and wind. And then you notice this big writing of graffiti, shun at by the sun nevertheless. It puzzles me how those here can do what the wall so bluntly asks. It makes me appreciate what I have and reminds me - to embrace life.
YOU CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS
Petya Tsacheva, Sofia, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, 2014
Just a city tour with friends, showing them around the beauty of the town for urban culture lovers and graffiti artists - and this was just on the wall, close to the assembly point. This year was also very politically intense - but we can move mountains, when we stay and act together with a common cause.
A FIST HOLDING A FLOWER
Petya Tsacheva, Sofia, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, 2015
Bulgaria is marked with heavy protests against the government, many complicated situations arose also with the draining of the financial reserves of a famous bank, etc. and people were really out on the streets creating justified tension in the society, fighting for immediate resolution. The streets overnight popped up with fists on walls everywhere - the flower (also a pencil, a balloon, etc) was added and created by popular graffiti/artistic urban formation to avoid aggression and show that there is always a way to trace it and defeat it as an alternative. Peacefully.
FREEDOM IS NOT A CRIME
Magdalena Madej, Hong Kong, July 2019
This picture was taken during my stay in Hong Kong in July 2019. It was a time of massive street protests against the rising influence of China. I came across this slogan while having a walk through Admiralty area and it immediately grabbed my attention. It made me think about the fragility of freedom and how quickly the times are a-changin.
DANCING FOR FREEDOM
Hadil Freihat, Berlin, Germany, 2021
This picture is taken in the east side gallery, the longest preserved piece of the Berlin Wall. For me, this art piece is a living proof that transformation is an inevitable part of life: As a resemblance of change possibilities, the dance over separation towards freedom.
MAKE ART, NOT WAR
Julia Scharinger at Arte Moris, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
A picture taken in the Timorese Art School „Arte Moris“, which was the first Fine Arts School, Cultural Center and Artists‘ Association established in 2003 after Timor-Leste gained its independence in 1999. Back then the founders of this non-profit school – Swiss artists Gabriela and Luca Gansser – had the vision of working especially with young folks in Timor and tapping into the potential of art for psychosocial reconstruction and healing. Today the school is led by Timorese artists and a vibrant hub for a variety of creative processes and engagemnets.
This picture depicts one of the student’s practice of visual art-making in public spaces.
WE ARE STILL RULED BY HOPE
Rayana Shadoud, Aleppo, Syria 2020
During the Syrian Civil War, Aleppo has served as battleground, with tragic consequences for their inhabitants. In 2010, Aleppo had 4.6 million inhabitants but the number of people decreased to 2.3, as a result of death, displacement, violence, destruction, and the collapse of basic services. The exact location of the photo is Al-Faisal street beside Al-Taalouf hospital, which has been assigned to accommodate and treat COVID-19 patients, and the meaning of the writing on the wall is: Despite the war mixed with the pandemic, we are still ruled by hope. The artist belongs to the local youth and lives in that neighbourhood. His name is Mouhammed Shalaty.
I LIVE TO GIVE SOMETHING THAT WILL LIVE ON
Julia Scharinger at Arte Moris, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
A picture taken in the Timorese Art School „Arte Moris“, which was the first Fine Arts School, Cultural Center and Artists‘ Association established in 2003 after Timor-Leste gained its independence in 1999. Back then the founders of this non-profit school – Swiss artists Gabriela and Luca Gansser – had the vision of working especially with young folks in Timor and tapping into the potential of art for psychosocial reconstruction and healing. Today, Arte Moris is led by Timorese artists and has brought forth widely recognised artists, such as Etson Caminha, Tony Amaral and Alfeo Romeo. They and many of their peers have become a critical, generative and visionary voice for their country and people, often advocating for peace and justice through their art.
METE
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. During my visit in 2011 it was also the home of families who had lost their homes throughout this unrest.
The added „Mete“ – meaning „to interfere“ or „to meddle“ integrates another dimension – intervention to end the suffering of Timorese under Indonesian occupation was advocated for by many during that time. Today, however, foreign intervention has become highly contested.
COLOR UP
Gudrun Kramer, Husn Camp, Jordan, 2013
In 2013 a small group of Palestine refugee youth in Husn Camp, Jordan, started an initiative to paint the grey houses in the camp in different colours. They called the initiative “Color Up!” and came up with their “signature” on the wall. They could convince the authorities to agree to the initiative and within 24 months 1.811 houses and 10 staircases were painted. By this initiative not only the camp was beautified, but also the refugees became proud of their camp and social cohesion among them was strengthened.
EVERYTHING WILL BE OK
Sara Moschini, Pescia, Italy 2020
When Covid-19 hit Italy at the beginning of 2020, many words and drawings began to appear at windows and fences. All of them carried the same simple and powerful words "Everything will be ok" (Andrà tutto bene). It was a wonderful thing to see as we were going through the lockdown and many people were dying and/or feeling alone and scared. I bumped into one of these messages on my way to work and it was hung next to the Italian flag. It carries extra meaning as the house is a few steps away from the town hospital and could be seen from the hospital windows.
WHERE DOES THE PEACE GO?
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This is one of my favourite pictures I took in Timor-Leste. It feels like a powerful metaphor to the country’s striving towards peace and shows how hard it can be to keep taking care of peace. It reminds me that peace is an action, not a noun. And even though it may be hard at times, to live through the opposite of peace is or would be much harder.
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population.
STOP RACISM
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. The civil unrest’s legacy can be traced back to the division of the Eastern and Western part of Timor-Leste that was created amidst Timor’s experience of Portuguese colonisation and Indonesian occupation.
LIVE LOVE BEIRUT
Gudrun Kramer, Beirut, Lebanon, 2015
Live Love Beirut was created in 2012 as a social impact implementation agency, with the aim to create hope through positive storytelling on social media, and making Lebanon better: Further Informations
Since then the “Live Love Beirut” sign can be found on many walls in Beirut, spreading hope and love across the different segments of society. Especially after the horrendous explosion in August 2020 the message got a new dimension and is more important than ever.
NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT
Jan Pospisil, Yei, South Sudan, February 2020
“No condition is permanent” is a slogan often found on buses or matatus in various parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. When writing it on a wall in war-torn Yei, the saying gets a very serious meaning. As bad as the situation might become, there is always a tomorrow. And it will be different. The war will disappear, eventually.
NO WAR IN IRAN
Gudrun Kramer, Cambridge, USA, 2020
This graffiti has been found in a small backroad close to the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, USA. It is a clear message that also many US citizens hope for a de-escalation in the US-Iran relations, and for constructive conflict transformation and dialogue. The message deserves to be taken out of this backroad and to be more visible.
HUN IDA ABUT IDA - ONE ROOT, ONE TREE
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. „Hun ida abut ida hamutuk mai ita halao desenvolve domin dame no paz“ translates into „One root, one tree. Together let’s nurture love and peace“. The civil unrest’s legacy can be traced to the division that was created amidst Timor’s experience of Portuguese colonisation and Indonesian occupation.
DAME - PEACE
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. „Dame“ translates into „Peace“. However, „GNX“ may have been used by a local gang marking their territory. To this day gang violence continues to be a major source for violence in the country. As such I find it a great metaphor to remind me how fragile and contested peace – and violence – can be.
TEMPU ATU HARI DAME - TIME TO CREATE PEACE
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This mural was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. "Tempu atu hari dame" translates into "Time to create Peace" – a sentiment echoed by many.
LOVE IS OUR RESISTANCE
Gudrun Kramer, Beirut, Lebanon 2013
When I first visited Beirut and walked through the streets, that still told the stories of decades of civil war, this graffiti reminded me of a plant pertinaciously breaking through asphalt: I was surprised to find this message in this war-torn place. Love nourishes our souls and hearts even in the darkest times and is an infinite source of power.
PEACE
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
This piece was created in 2006/7 as part of a campaign for peace to respond to the civil unrest of that time and strenghten the sense of unity amongst the Timorese population. During my visit in 2011 it was also the home of families who had lost their homes throughout this unrest.
HANDS WITH MASK
Anrike Visser, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar 2020
The artist of this mural, Arker Kyaw (1993), is a well-known artist with exhibitions in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Indonesia. He is also part of the Myanmar graffiti movement. His 'hands' are popping up all over Yangon, but the hands with mask is by far my favourite in these tyring times.
NO GUNS
Julia Scharinger, Dili, Timor-Leste, 2011
Walking through Dili in 2011 there were quite a few murals denouncing the use of weapons in the area. Sometimes such signs could be found on NGO's offices, other times when one would enter a community. To me it always served as a powerful reminder that, even amidst a place that seemed flooded with violence and weapons at times, there were also people resisting the use of force and publicly showing their commitment for their communities to be without weapons.