Under real pressure

>>Popular festival is feeling the heat as the city continues its war on graffiti

CLEAN-UP IS MISGUIDED: Sterling Downey

Graffiti artists and connoisseurs of hip hop culture from around the world will gather in Montreal this weekend for the 12th edition of the Under Pressure Graffiti Convention at Foufounes Électriques. But despite the increased respect graffiti art has gained in recent years, Under Pressure founder and organizer Sterling Downey says that, of late, the city of Montreal has been putting the pinch on local artists as well as his event.

“We’re kind of like the bastard children of the community, because we’re promoting this culture in a legal and public context,” Downey says. “But at the same time, because we’re so high profile, it’s easy to point the finger and blame us [for graffiti problems].”

Founded in 1996 by Downey and a friend as a way to educate the public about graffiti art and combat its negative image in the media, UP has grown into a local institution. This year’s lineup features more than100 artists and 30 DJs, including hip hop legend Kool Herc, who will be performing on the free outdoor stage.

According to Downey, he had a good relationship with the city until a few years ago, when it ended the relatively small financial support it had been providing after his file was transferred to a different official at city hall. “From 1998 to around 2003, the city was involved,” he says. “They were a low-level sponsor, but a sponsor nonetheless.”

Taking the blame

In 2005, the week before the event, the city announced a $1-million graffiti clean-up plan. In explaining the need for the program, executive committee member and Plateau borough mayor Helen Fotopulos linked graffiti with gang activity, so Downey and company invited her down to clear up any misconceptions and start a dialogue. Downey says she came, had her picture taken and left, and that nothing further came of it.

Last year Downey received a phone call from a city official who suggested they might be interested in sponsoring UP again, but they had a problem because it cost the city over $30,000 to clean up afterwards, seemingly blaming Downey for unrelated graffiti in the surrounding neighbourhood.

“It was ridiculous. You can only blame me for what happens the day of, and even then only within a certain area,” says Downey, pointing out that the costs of dealing with vandalism and other criminal acts associated with other, larger festivals is far greater than anything that might be caused by UP.

A week before last year’s event, Marcel Tremblay, the executive committee member responsible for services to citizens, announced a proposed by-law banning the sale of spray paint to minors. The proposal wasn’t adopted, which is just as well according to Downey. “In graffiti, it’s cooler to steal paint if you’re a young kid.”

So, once again, Downey invited Tremblay to come out to UP. “He came down, did his photo-op, talked to the media, and the same thing happened,” he says. “It was like, ‘Yes, we’re going to sit down and talk and consult,’ and never a call-back. Nothing.”

Tremblay denies any attempts to clamp down on UP or graffiti artists, calling last year’s visit “a great experience.”

“As an administration, we’re not against [graffiti],” says Tremblay, citing a number of graffiti mural projects the city is involved with. He adds, however, that many older Montrealers and tourists feel threatened by graffiti. “Our preoccupation is to have a city that is secure and clean.”

According to Tremblay, the city, which spends $6.5-million annually to fight graffiti, isn’t interested in sponsoring UP again, but would like to work with the organizers in youth outreach and education.

“I will not fund the event, but I’m ready to see how we can work together,” he says.

Stiff fines coming

In what may be a bad omen, this past June, the downtown borough of Ville-Marie—where UP is held—began to enforce a new by-law that provides for fines of up to $2,000 for graffiti offences.

Unfazed, Downey has been talking to representatives of a large local festival who have inquired about buying into UP for a hefty sum. “There have been some interesting conversations recently,” he says. He wouldn’t name the festival, but says, “We’re not necessarily ready to sell it, but we’re definitely fielding calls.”

Under Pressure blows up this Sunday, Aug.12, at Foufounes Électriques (87 Ste-Catherine E.). The outdoor activities, which begin at 11 a.m., are all-ages and free, while the evening concert, which begins at 9 p.m., is 18+ and costs $5. For info, go to www.underpressure.ca.