Tsangaris uses Athens as his canvas, focusing on unauthorized urban graphics, which in recent decades have emerged as a major medium of aesthetic intervention and social protest in Athenian cityscape. But do not let yourself be fooled by his aesthetic analysis and the images of graffiti. This is a deeply political book. Using the Greek capital as a case-study, the writer discusses the urban space we are losing and the urban space we are reclaiming. This is a political debate that takes place every day, in artistic terms, within all our cities.

Spyros F. Moschonas, Panteion University

In Radical Communications, Michael Tsangaris brings theoretical depth and a critical scope to wall writings, a media too often categorized as mundane, irrelevant or, as the author rightfully shows, straightforward theft. With this book, Tsangaris aims to deconstruct these assumptions. In an overall convincing analysis, he shows how unauthorized urban graphics are much more than drawings, doodles or squiggles: they are radical discourses on political and social issues that mark the everyday life of their intended audience…. Tsangaris’ book provides a great introduction to the topic of wall writings which would be of interest for undergraduate students, in communication, media studies and urban studies. It reviews the relevant literature and provides a great overview of some key debates in the field. His analysis also has the merit of reintroducing Athens as a prime site of study, which is refreshing. The author knows his research site extremely well and this leads to some truly compelling findings.

Urban Studies