Visual Accountabilities of Vandalism. a Semiotic Narrative of Resistance

This research investigates the dynamics between vandalism and visual accountability, focusing on how these visually mediated acts of resistance challenge ideological borders and dominant narratives. In an era where digital images increasingly shape and contest perceptions of reality, this paper explores how vandalistic acts—ranging from graffiti and iconoclasm to defacement—serve as potent forms of visual communication, articulating demands for justice and social transformation. By engaging with the ethical, legal, and social implications of these actions, the study situates vandalism not merely in terms of what is destroyed, but in what is questioned and contested (Crichton, 2011).

Through a comparative analysis of case studies, this paper delves into the motivations behind these acts of resistance, emphasizing their role as powerful semiotic tools that interrogate established norms while advocating for transformative change. The research highlights how marginalized groups employ vandalism as a form of visual accountability to resist subjugation by powerful entities, turning public spaces into stages for contestation and sociopolitical engagement.

In the context of the Anthropocene, the paper underscores the complex role of visual practices in enacting certain truths and shaping public discourse. It examines how these acts of defacement and destruction become instrumental in governing social and political narratives, particularly around issues such as gender violence and social justice. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on reinterpreting public spaces, advocating for a more inclusive and just social landscape through the lens of vandalistic protest.