SPLAT! against advertisements and corporate capitalism!

A new culture jamming group has made its debut in Montreal using paint-filled balloons and a web site [http://www.splat-montreal.org/] to spread its message.

The group, called SPLAT!, is calling for the re-appropriation of cultural space and our public arena through the splatting of advertisements throughout Montreal. ?It is not merely the superficial presence of advertising that we at SPLAT/Montréal object to. What we oppose is the overall 'Culturation' that advertising effects on us as a society,? says Slat, on their web site.

According to the group, we must rise above our positions in society as mere consumers, and reclaim values, beliefs, principles, and tastes of our own. The group comes across as anti-capitalist and links mass media to corporate interests, urging the public to take action against the ?Culturation? that turns people into consumers.

SPLAT activists describe themselves as a small group of individuals who are concerned with issues of social justice and who are willing to take some risks in order to seriously challenge the institutionalized problems in our society. They engaged in Direct Action as a means to oppose practices that they see as destructive and dehumanizing. Above all, says the group, their actions are meant to send a message and to provoke reflection on issues of freedom and consciousness in the context of our times.

How does a SPLAT work? The SPLAT website provides instructions on how to create a paint-filled water balloon. This water balloon is then used to engage in a direct action involving a billboard or advertisement in the city. Basically, you find a billboard that offends, throw the paint balloon, and voila, you have a jammed billboard. But that?s not the last step. SPLAT members encourage you to make SPLAT stickers, which contain the groups web address, and stick them to the billboard or ad that you have jammed. This takes the action a step further and allows the public to go to the site and learn about why people are jamming advertisements. The final step of the process is to take a photo of your SPLAT and upload it to the SPLAT website with an explanation.