Using the Public For Political Dissent

It was recently brought to my attention that a group of 4 Italian artists created this public poster initiative in New York City to protest Berlusconi's reign over the Italian media. Repubblica, Italy's only major paper free from the media mogul's near 90% control of all media outlets, reported on the NYC action. The Italian journalist I talked to here in New York seemed to think many Italians were happy with the action taken by their friends overseas. I myself see this campaign as both the proper use of public space, for political dissent and open communication, as well as an attack on NPA City Outdoor, whose illegal advertising locations were targeted by the campaign. Despite the many outlets for this type of dissent, the public remains one of the truly democratic spaces where these types of ideas can find an audience as diverse as each and everyone of us.