The Art and Politics of Culture Jamming
February 12, 2012 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
What is culture jamming, and how does it differ from other forms of political protest, social activism and street art?
Contemporary social protest takes many forms. Activists make use of new media technologies and sometimes engage in risky activities. Culture jamming is a form of activism that involves subversively altering media or advertising messages, usually to cast a critical spotlight on the activities of governments, corporations or individuals. It can take place in physical spaces or virtual realms: some activists amend billboards, others hijack websites.
In Culture Jammers, photographer Dean Sewell captured the activities of a small group of culture jammers in Sydney between 2003 and 2007. The group – which comprised three to six people calling themselves ‘The Lonely Station’ after a line from a Midnight Oil song – were perhaps the city’s most audacious culture jammers. They scaled silos, highway billboards and buildings to rework images and draw public attention to social justice and environmental issues, including the Iraq War, woodchipping and the plight of refugees.
This forum presents an impressive line-up of guest speakers who will discuss the intentions, tactics, incidents, aesthetics and recent history of culture jamming in Sydney.
Museum of Sydney
Sunday 12 February
11.00am — 1.00pm
More information http://www.hht.net.au/whats_on/event/lectures/the_art_and_politics_of_culture_jamming
