Illegal Billboards in the Annex Flock Off

Photos by Natalie Logan

Toronto, October 3, 2009- The Dupsa Corner Collective (DCC) has undertaken a public art project that has targeted fifteen illegal billboards in the Annex early this morning. The timing of this project has been chosen to correspond with the city of Toronto’s Sign By-Law Project and Alternative Nuit Blanche activities.

The installations depict images of birds in flight. Through art we can transform the often depressing, concrete cityscape to something beautiful and wild. Furthermore, birds often symbolize freedom. The DCC envisions neighbourhoods free from visual pollution, corporate manipulation, and interests that aim to divide community through the individualistic ritual of consumption.

In support of stronger billboard regulations and a more creative city, the DCC aims to bring attention to the upcoming meetings between members of Toronto’s By-Law project and the Planning and Growth Management Committee. Meetings originally scheduled for the week of October 5 have now been moved to November 4. The Sign By-Law Team will be putting forward proposals including a New Sign By-law, Third-Party Sign Tax, and ideas for enforcement. Details of the report and project can be found on the city of Toronto’s website at: www.toronto.ca/signbylawproject/index.htm

Public art tends to foster a greater respect, responsibility, and pride for one’s community. Let us focus on strengthening community bonds rather than allowing unbridled corporatism to divide our citizenry.

The DCC’s billboard installations can be found both in the air and on the ground.