

Graffiti is a reclamation of urban space, an affirmation of humanity and assertion of individuality in the face of bleak, dehumanizing architectures and environments.

But, let's face it, the whole spraypaint thing is kinda played out. For every Chernobyl Project or Banksy there's a million overly derivative tags that do little more than slap a layer of paint over reality.

Why not change the substance of reality itself? That's what guerilla gardening is all about.

From Guerilla Gardening: A Manualfesto ...

The term "guerrilla" may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving in the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transform an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Once an environmentalist's nonviolent direct action for inner-city renewal, this movement is spreading to all types of people in cities around the world. These modern-day Johnny Appleseeds perform random acts of gardening, often without permission. Typical targets are vacant lots, railway land, underused public squares, and back alleys.

The concept is simple, whimsical, and has the cheeky appeal of being a not-quite-legal call to action. Dig in some soil, plant a few seeds, or mend a sagging fence-one good deed inspiring another, with win-win benefits all around.”

Urban Ecological Subversion: The Art of Guerilla Gardening in Public Spaces [Web Urbanist]