

Image courtesy of Pierre Paslier.

Pierre Paslier uses his "Revolution" bike modification. Image courtesy of Pierre Paslier.

Pierre Paslier is an artist and engineer who created a set of high-tech DIY tools to help activists get their message out. He doesn't identify as an activist himself—but through his experiences creating Banksy-inspired street art and participating in a handful of Greenpeace demonstrations, he began to wonder if he could use his own skills to help people spread their political messages more beautifully and effectively.

"The people were  focused on the message they were sharing, but not so much the way they were spreading it."


"I've always been fascinated by the creative ways street artists challenge the dominance of advertisement in the city," he said in an interview with YES! “I was interested in how ugly graffiti would be cleaned straight away, but how clever and good-looking stencils would stay and people would talk about it.”


"I started to realize that often in small activist communities, most actions relied on giving flyers in the street or writing on posters," he said. "The people were very focused on the message they were sharing, but not so much the way they were spreading it."



"These tools are a fun use of the technology that's emerging for regular people," said Bill Moyer, executive director of the activist support-group Backbone Campaign.


1. Write your messages in sand.


Musical note - OpenSquare from pierre paslier on Vimeo.

2. Mount your messages where you can’t go.

“Flying Flyer” is a helicopter-style drone for peaceful protest. It's a small craft with a wire armature that lets it post stickers and decals in hard-to-reach places.


"In the right context, where you have a controlled environment and you're not endangering anyone, it could be a very effective tactic," he said.

Flying Flyer from pierre paslier on Vimeo.

3. And … if you can get access to a wall ahead of time …



Fade from pierre paslier on Vimeo.

4. Writing while biking, made easy


"The Revolution mod could be used in a really targeted way," especially if used with washable and biodegradable ink, said Emily Johnston, media coordinator for environmental group 350 Seattle.

Revolution - Streettoolbox from pierre paslier on Vimeo.

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