Nina Felshin defines activist art as so "This cultural form is the culmination of a democratic urge to give voice and visibility to the disenfranchised, and to connect art to a wider audience"(pg10).

Before the 1960's art was mostly an institutionalized process. But just like pockets of the rest of society artists begin to question the institutions that they felt were being harmful to society. They were set on giving a voice to those who had none. It was also a time of change with in the media, which allowed for artists to explore new avenues in which they could produce and distribute their art. Moving art out of museums and out into the streets.

It's hard for me to imagine a time when art wasn't public and available. Growing up in Toronto art was always around whether it was Val Kilmer's smiling face, a swing in an alley, a pole turned into a bass, the Murmer project or Style in Progress's annual graffiti day.

At the start of her article Nina mentions how activist art is the 90's is reaching critical mass and becoming institutionalized. I don't really agree with this statement from personal experience. In Toronto alone you can see this type of work at all levels, you can see the gurriella girls work at the AGO ( when it was open) , walk down the street to Kensington market and view activist art on the streets, pick up a spacing magazine or attend a Toronto Public Space committee meeting.

It's also interesting to note a move away from the collaborative activist art to more of an individualist view. With solo artists such as Banksy, Rene Gagnon and Owen Phillips working alone it seems like the days of activists collectives being the main stead when it comes to activist art are coming to an end. This may have to due with the nature of the work itself. It's a lot easier to sneak into a museum and set up your own art alone than it is to do so in a group. It also allows for artists to explore a topic more indepth and avoids in group fighting witch normally leads to disbandment.

Not saying that the collectives are disappearing altogether, in high school I attended an arts camp. Here I met a girl named Lori , in the past couple years Lori has been instrumental in setting up a group based in Toronto and New York called New Mind Space. New Mind Space creates interactive public art that ranges from LED installations, subways parties and giant pillow fights intent on taking back public space for the public. Which in Toronto seems to be a common theme amongst a lot of activist art.