Abstract

CAMPOS, Ricardo. Between the lights and the shadows of the city: visibility and invisibility in graffiti. Etnográfica [online]. 2009, vol.13, n.1, pp.145-170. ISSN 0873-6561.

An ethnographic research developed within the graffiti community of Lisbon is the starting point for a reflection regarding the social condition of the young members of this community. The graffiti writers live between two social and cultural universes, building complex strategies of managing identity and everyday life. Graffiti represents, for many young people, a ground for struggle and transgression, a chance to reject the law and the hegemonic norms, an arena where they experiment risk, excitement and, sometimes, painful sanctions. This complex and paradoxical social universe inspires the author to analyze subjects such as the relation between the margins and the center, identity construction in the contemporary world, visuality and anonymity in the city.

Keywords : youth; graffiti; city; identity; anonymity; visuality.

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