A lot of activists rebel against the big brands and logo by carrying around their own brands and logo's. We all know the Che Guevara T-shirsts, and other quite stereotyped forms of fashion activism. 'Punk' has become a higly commercialized lifestyle; in wich the image of being 'authentic' and 'against the system' is used as an effective means for companies to brand and sell their products. Noami Klein got asked several times if they could use her name for a clothing brand. Activism sells.
What can an actist do about this? A lot of actists choose the negative option: to fight the system, the logo's the brands. Anarchist philosophy really has good sides, altough the tendency is that most anarchists are not anarchists but fashion dolls. If you really want to be an anarchist activist, you should get loose of your black and red icons, and choose for the no-logo way. That means in practice: if you leave your traces in public space, never leave a name, never leave a name. You can just start your no logo actions with creating things in public space that are not in any way organized or could end up in another form of branding your name/logo, spreading an image, or even as a use for your artistic activities, art school, etc. You just go out and be spontanious, play and change the world around you without any more effect than just what you do. Don't take pictures. Your actions should just be as they are. Anonymous, creating small momoments of humanity in the streets. It is fun to do, but your ego will not like this too long. Some moment you want to be noticed or seen. Most activists are not enlightened buddhists. So you better leave the 'negative' section and join the positivists.
Creative activism is to create your own alternatives, your own media, your own images and 'activist branding'. You go in the streets, in the media, and spread your own ideas and images. You will create a whole world of imagination. And your imagination can grow into new forms of reality. Create your own.
One day you will find yourself selling T-shirts, black spot shoes, magazines and activism gatgets for an interesting targetgroup of highly eductated, critical worldcitizens. This is just what you should do. Creative activism is about creating new things, about alternatives. If your ideas and actions become a success, you have to deal with the effects. A big problem for a lot of revolutionaries. It is easier to fight the negative than to formulate the positive. But it is woth a try. And maybe one day you will rule the world with your creative activism media empire. Do not doubt. Just make it happen.
Joined: 2006-05-25