Examples

Here are some examples for inspiration:

Art on the Wall

Banksy's graffiti in the West Bank. Photo by Jennifer Hayes

The "separation wall" constructed by the Israeli government has been the site of painting, graffiti, and even a photo exhibit satirising and condemning the wall. The unconventional, some times humorous, artworks rendered in the shadow of Israeli military power have drawn international attention to an ongoing issue.

Giant plastic bottles 

Detail of giant bottle. Photo from Eduardo Srur's website

To call attention to water pollution in Sao Paulo, artist Eduardo Srur erected giant, inflatable soda bottles along the Tieté river, one of the city’s most polluted rivers, as part of Quase líquido (Almost Liquid) an art exhibition on themes of social exclusion, the river pollution and insecurity. The giant bottles, which are illuminated at night, generated considerable publicity of the issue and of the status of the river. 

Banner Hang

Screen cap of YouTube video. Photo from Indymedia

In perhaps one of the most audacious acts of guerilla marketing, activists traveled to China as tourists and hung a banner calling for a free Tibet from the Great Wall. The banner read “One World, One Dream, Free Tibet,” a parody of the the official slogan for the 2008 Olympic games in China: “One World, One Dream.” Press coverage was seen around the world and video of the action was widely viewed on video sharing sites like YouTube.

Duct Tape Flyers

Photo from Osocio.org

To protest censorship of journalists in Belarus, the Poland chapter of Amnesty International taped 20,000 portraits of people to signposts and trees, wrapping silver duct tape around the mouths and posters, attaching the posters to its support.

Grassroots Memorial

In March 2002, Police shot and killed five demonstrators and injured dozens in Aksy, Kyrgyzstan. In defiance of the government, residents erected a stone memorial on the site of the incident. The memorial has since become a reminder of those who lost their lives, of the events and of abuse of power.

Action over Vanishing Sidewalks

Photo from Friendlyghost

To protest urban developments that privileges cars and shops, but squeezes out pedestrians, members of the group Sahasi Padyatri (Brave Pedestrian) took to the streets of Mumbai and painted a six foot median of their own in the middle of the road. The action earned publicity, but was also a clear visualization of the group’s demand for more space for pedestrians.

Ice Animals

Photo from http://directdaily.blogspot.com/

To raise awareness about climate change, Conservation International deposited ice sculptures of polar animals in seven of the busiest public parks in Bogota, Colombia along with a puddle-shaped sign with information about global warming and the group’s web address. The action prompted and email response from 1,500 people.

Post it notes against violence

Photo from Guerrilla Innovation

A group called Vandals Against Violence in Copenhagen, Denmark encouraged members to post yellow post-it notes in public places with messages condemning a recent increase in violence with handwritten statements such as “only the weak resort to violence.”

Zimbabwe Graffiti

Photo by Ethan Zuckerman

Because of the crackdown on other forms of political expression, political graffiti has become common on the walls and road signs of streets and towns in Zimbabwe. A campaign to increase the salaries of soldiers and teachers received a boost in June 2006 when dissent became visible in the army barracks. After graffiti appeared on bathroom walls calling for President Mugabe’s ouster, the salary increase went through.