Collapsing walls and the question of commemoration

Graffiti in the Israeli withdrawal, August 2005

Bibliographic Data

ID22955445
AuthorsAyelet Kohn (0000-0002-0871-4492, Hadassah Academic College, corresponding author), Hananel Rosenberg (0000-0002-7430-4520, Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Hananael Rosenberg
Year2013
Volume23
Issue5
Pages606-631
Publication date2013-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Semiotics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1035-0330 • E-ISSN: 1470-1219
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10350330.2013.820014
OpenAlexW2085426379
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited32

The paper focuses on graffiti which was created by The Gaza Strip settlers during the Israeli withdrawal (August 2005), while being fully aware of the predetermined demolition of the houses by the Israeli army. The graffiti served two functions: One, concrete and short-termed, was meant for the eyes of the soldiers and the media, and was constructed as an image event. The second function was the construction of historical commemoration through iconic and inscribed narratives, and was directed exclusively to digital archives on the Internet and private collections. This choice illustrates the deliberate twist of the original essence of graffiti as an anonymous genre, which usually performs in the public sphere into a protest against the desecration of the intimate sphere. Biblical citations, popular songs, political slogans and playful inscriptions are discussed. The content analysis of 150 graffiti is supported by interviews, which were conducted with graffiti writers and their addressees.

Archaeology · Art · Demolition · Graffiti · Inscribed figure · Literature · Media studies · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Private sphere · Public sphere · Sociology · Visual arts · History · Law · Public Spaces through Art · Urban and sociocultural dynamics

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