Under Pressure
Graffiti festival kicks off August 14th
It seems incongruous for a city that wages continuous battle against graffiti to host a graffiti festival. Although it might be unfair to characterize Under Pressure simply as a graffiti festival, that's exactly what it is, says spokesperson Melissa Proietti.
For 15 years Under Pressure has been celebrating street culture: skaters, hip hoppers, graffiti writers. As always, with Under Pressure just days away, the city has again stepped up the fight against graffiti.
Canadians have a soft spot in their hearts for war veterans. So when taggers slip in and out of the dark of night spitting spray paint on cenotaphs, it leaves a bitter taste in everyone's mouths. Callers to talk radio shows condemn the disrespect of the younger generations for their forbears, the destruction of private party. Despite Under Pressure's success, people don't know about so-called legal walls, the city-sanctioned space provided for graffiti artists and the colourful murals they leave behind. Even the artists regard the anonymous tagging of either public property, or other's work, as a “dis.” If you see artists armed with multicoloured spray cans working on the side of a building in broad daylight, it's legal. But if all you see is a crudely scribbled, black spray-painted signature, or tag, it's likely illegal, done under the dark of night by a hooded vandal.
One area that has just announced measures to fight graffiti is the borough of NDG, Notre Dame de Grace, home to Montreal's newest skateshop. The No Damn Good skatepark, named for the nickname by which this part of town has long been known, features a skateshop in front, with boards and parts, shoes, hats, t-shirts, and other skater paraphernalia, and a bowl and ramp in back. Skaters of all ages and levels can usually use the bowl for $10.00 a session, but for what's left of August it's free.
This past weekend No Damn Good played host to the Under Pressure Breakestra B-Boy Battle, a breakdance smackdown held inside the bowl, with the money raised going to fund Under Pressure. Under Pressure itself takes place the 14th and 15th.
Inasmuch as it started as a graffiti festival, Proietti calls it a city-sponsored community event, encompassing Hip Hop, electronic music, and the skater culture, bridging the gap between it and the mainstream.
Things kick off officially on Saturday morning with graffiti writers painting outside Montreal's Societe des Arts Technologiques. Then, DJ's, breakers, and skaters take over La Place de la Paix, otherwise known as Peace Park, on a storied stretch of St. Laurent Blvd. For the first time in Under Pressure's history there will also be a kids' corner. Then, at night, the party moves on to the Jupiter Room.
The next day events take place at Les Foufounes Electriques (literally: electric buttocks), where Under Pressure began, with MC's, DJ's, breakers, and painters. Then, Sunday night, there's a board battle, and a concert featuring New York Hip Hopper J-Live and DJ Rob Swift.
Dan Laxer is an announcer at Montreal's CJAD Radio, a budding stand-up comedian, and a writer. He is Citeeze's entertainment writer.
Under Pressure graffiti
Under Pressure graffiti corner
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