The Fusion of Video Mapping Language and Guerrilla Design in the Work of Coletivo Coletores

Abstract

The present article highlights the importance of historical urban movements that redefine our perception of the city of São Paulo. Pixo and graffiti introduced a transgressive visual language, emerging as forms of resistance against violence and artistic repression during the military dictatorship in the 1970s. Video art also arose in this context of political confrontation, utilizing video techniques as a medium for artistic expression and audience engagement. Building on this legacy, video mapping explores urban night spaces and architecture through new digital visual narratives. Linked to this aesthetic is the concept of “guerrilla design,” where artists act as activists by addressing these themes in their creative processes. This article examines the work of Coletivo Coletores—Baptiste and Camargo—who explore suburban invisibilities and historical erasure. Using semiotic analysis (Santaella and Pignatari), the study analyzes the following pieces: Pujança (2020), We Are Alive (2021), International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women (2021) and Led Truck – Suburban Lives (2022).