David Garcia and Geert Lovink in the tactical media manifesto define tactical media as a set of practices that can be used by activists to produce counter information. It is known as the “DYI” media, which means that it is created using creativity and it is a simple and effective tool of communication. The way it is produced is cheap but still effective. The message is sent through the technique of culture jamming, which is done by subversively critiquing the paradigm or the culture. More precisely, it is editing of concepts, products or logos to send a counter-message. Tactical media is delivered through civil disobedience, which is a nonviolent/peaceful resistance.
This graffiti shows Matteo Salvini holding a sign that says “Matteo Sardina” right under the image of the Sardine’s logo. Next to him there his the senator Liliana Segre, who is also a political activist and holocaust survivor. She is holding a sign that says “Stop Hate”. The two figures next to each other send a clear statement. Salvini is racist and he looks like a fool holding the sign with the logo of his enemies, Sardine. The creator of this graffiti is TVBOY, who is an artist-activist that creates controversial graffiti. In this case, he identifies himself with the Sardine movement, as he goes against Salvini’s anti-immigration political agenda.
This is an example of tactical media because it is done using very simple and cheap materials, which shows the feature of the “do it yourself” tradition. It sends a strong and effective message that is easily understandable by those who have minimal political knowledge. TVBOY expresses his form of activism through art.
Sardine 