<body> Public Ad Campaign
This blog is a resource for ad takeover artists and information about contemporary advertising issues in public space. If you have content you would like to share, please send us an email.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Yesterday the good citizens of Toronto made it abundantly clear that they would not stand for the public space abuse Astral Media is passing off as "Info Panels". cARTography involved 30 Artists reclaiming what are supposed to be helpful info stations, but are instead new advertising venues. Enjoy the whole project at their website… [HERE]

For Immediate Release  July 8, 2012 

Astral Media Pillars Reclaimed in cARTographyTO Project ‘Putting The Info Back In Info Pillar’ ​

This weekend, cARTographyTO replaced ads in Astral Media “Info” Pillars with art-maps created by Toronto residents and local artists. This site-specific art, donated by over 30 concerned citizens (and supported by many times more), offers new possibilities for these spaces, and information about the surrounding neighbourhoods. This is a response to sidewalk billboards, and the erosion and privatization of public spaces. ​

A spokesperson for cARTographyTO stated, “These structures are billboards masquerading as sources of useful public information. When you look at the pillars, it’s hard to find the maps, and this goes against the City’s own public space guidelines. How could City Hall allow this to happen? Beyond mere visual pollution, these pillars are a safety hazard. And Astral’s influence on our city is a public insult and embarrassment - more power has been given to those who already have the loudest voices, to the detriment of all who use these spaces.”

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home


      Sharon Zukin
      The Cultures of Cities


      Miriam Greenberg
      Branding New York

      Naomi Klein
      No Logo


      Kalle Lasn
      Culture Jam


      Stuart Ewen
      Captains of Consciousness


      Stuart Ewen
      All Consuming Images


      Stuart & Elizabeth Ewen
      Channels of Desire


      Jeff Ferrell
      Crimes of Style


      Jeff Ferrell
      Tearing Down the Streets


      John Berger
      Ways of Seeing


      Joe Austin
      Taking the Train


      Rosalyn Deutsche
      Evictions art + spatial politics


      Jane Jacobs
      Death+Life of American Cities