Networked Civil Disobedience: Hacktivism and Tactical Media

1996 is the first time the term ‘tactical media’ was used, it often relates to a movement which is presented in order to challenge its viewers. Art, political activism, satire, culture jamming and experimental media are all different methods used in order to evoke a number of different thoughts and feelings. It is something that allows reformists and artists to get their message across and take control, while bending the rules to suit their cause. And it’s mostly used for a positive yet provocative influence, it is still popular in today’s media to help communicate a specific message.

In an online journal, it simply defines tactical media and why it’s used; “Tactical media do not just report events, as they are never impartial they always participate and it is this that more than anything separates them from mainstream media.” (García and Lovink, 1997). It is an interesting strategy highlighted by the text, García states that it is an impartial way for people such as artists or politicians to provoke the public and engage them in the exploration of new mind-sets, this is what I find so clever. A current example of this could be the shredding of a piece of art by Banksy, now worth over £1.7 million, a strategic move which is trying to represent the current values of commodification. By posting the video on Instagram to a large viewing, circulating over social media instantly and it certainly created wild responses. “It has been watched more than 12 million times.” (Pownall, 2018).

In a book wrote focusing on the small things in everyday life states; “This relationship between the formal necessity of the encounter and the random aspect of its content pushes the dweller to behave as if “on guard” within precise social codes, all centred round the fact of recognition in the sort of indecisive collectively.” (De Certeau, Giard and Mayol, 2014). This translates in the modern day and can be seen in simple situations such as hitchhiking. A mode of transport commonly used by artists, costing nothing apart from a companionship. You will make your journey through conversation, creating a network of people who are willing to listen and help a random person.

Banksy - Flower Thrower

Hitchhiking is only a small step into tactical media. Art is also used to convey a powerful message and enlighten people into how their data is being used. It’s done in order to gain control of the narrative as well as the media, to help promote a message. By doing this you will effectively be making headlines and creating a hype around a topic of your choice. Popular artists including Banksy and The Yes Men are using art to get their message across to the public. Flower Thrower (right) is one of Banky’s most recognisable pieces and its done in order to provoke emotion. It represents someone who is in a riot, throwing a weapon to cause harm, but the ‘weapon’ they are preparing to throw is actually a bouquet of flowers. This really makes you think when you see this piece of work and this is the whole point of tactical media.

Even things such as our social media accounts and our data, something certainly worth making a fuss over. Facebook has enabled companies to psychologically profile you and target political messages specifically towards you. Google takes your data and sell it on to external companies. None of this will be common knowledge or even shown in today’s media.

Without the use of tactical media and the help of artists penetrating the news, the population will never really be able to get the full picture of what is going on. The government holds immense power over the content that is broadcasted through the media, making it hard to get a genuine story and opinion voiced. Overall, I found that it is important to remember to not focus on how we communicate the message, but perhaps focus on what the message actually is. The use of tactical media benefits us in so many ways, when reading an article, in which I found a quote to nicely summarise the learning of this week; “The movement of Tactical Media made a significant contribution to forcing those cracks to open up wider still...” (Editors, 2017). The key principle to tactical media is supporting the notion of activism and relations by breaking through the boundaries and ‘bending the rules’.

De Certeau, M., Giard, L. and Mayol, P. (2014). Practice of Everyday Life. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Editors, T. (2017). The Concept of Tactical Media. [Article] Tactical Media Files.

García, D. and Lovink, G. (1997). The ABC of Tactical Media. Artnodes, [online] 0(2). Available at: http://subsol.c3.hu/subsol_2/contributors2/garcia-lovinktext.html.

Pownall, A. (2018). Banksy's shredded painting authenticated as original artwork. DEZEEN. [online] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2018/10/16/banksy-authenticates-painting-self-destructed-auction-sothebys/ [Accessed 13 Dec. 2018].

Raley, R. (2009). Tactical media. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.