Os corres das minas: a construção da identidade feminista da Crew Laf

Abstract

In face of the expanding practice of urban arts in the city of Santa Maria and in face of the context of invisibility of women when it comes to youth cultures, this dissertation puts forth an understanding of the construction of a feminist identity by young women from local urban arts crew „Libertem as fêmeas‟ (LAF). This ethnography-inspired research sought to investigate how these endless processes of building an identification with feminism take place amongst girls from LAF in order to recognise modes of feminist practices in the city so that, ultimately, it becomes possible to answer the question of how these women undertake that elaboration via urban arts. There is, furthermore, the intention to reflect upon gender inequalities in the practice of urban arts and upon how this scenario also serves as a stage for feminist claims empowering women and destabilising hierarchical categories of power in society. It also included a brief problematisation on the representativity of women in the public space, especially as a leading figure of their actions. For that, the following tools were used: literature review, in-depth interviews with girls from LAF, and a photographic record of their work around the city. It was finally possible to identify the many practices done by women transgressing in the public space, especially by means of their wall inscriptions, as well as exceeding the sense of crew inasmuch as they perform activities of collective character, approaching the concept of radical media. It was also possible to draw the conclusion that gender inequality still reflects on several spheres in society, there being, however, more and more girls who reject positions of silence and underestimation.