Dundas Square

Much has been said and written about the nature of public space as evident at Dundas Square.

More has been said and written about the hegemony of advertising messages in the public realm.

Rather than strive to limit the number of advertising messages, why not lobby for the inclusion of cultural content as part of this advertising infrastructure? The cost to build such infrastructure is prohibitive to most arts and culture groups and the audience available to view these venues is much larger and broader than that which most cultural institutions can garner. So why not be strategic and claim a bit of space on someone else's dime?

Programmes such as poetry on the TTC are a start but why not push for similar initiatives in outdoor advertising in the public realm?

I will be doing so in the next few months and will keep readers posted of my progress.

1. A few things have edged their way into that space. Currently, there is Transmedia 29:59—on the 29 and 59 of each hour, a little short film or animation plays. More info here:

   http://www.year01.com/transmedia2959/

   More of this would be great, so lobby away. The risk is that this will make these billboards and such even more prolific, and they’ll spread to our more sacred civic spaces like Nathan Phillips Square using “art” as the wedge.

   Just something to keep in mind – but as it stands, Dundas Square isn’t going anywhere, so might as well try and make the best of it.

   Posted by Shawn Micallef  on  09/16  at  06:53 PM

2. Shawn, thanks for the comment. You raise an intersting point about the fulcrum point of art as lever.

   Artwork can lever existing advertising or advertising can lever the artwork.

   I guess we have to be vigilant not to let the former happen while looking for opportunities to engage the latter.

   I will place my faith in a positive outcome and push for more projects like transmedia 2959 for Dundas Square.

   On the subject of Nathan Phillips Square, you are probably aware of the current competition to revise the design of the Square. Hopefully there will be more discussion on this topic in this forum.

   Thanks again for the information.

   Posted by Brad Golden / Lynne Eichenberg  on  09/17  at  12:32 AM

<< Back to main