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Take Back Public Space Press Release |
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Take Back Public Space
The Australian Centre for Democracy and Justice is calling on people to
take back their public spaces and use artistic impulses to combat the
over-branding, and crass commercialism of these areas of public use.
The Melbourne-based social and environmental justice organisation have
put together a step-by-step guide to stencilling called 'Take Back
Public Space' and is urging people to make their own stencils. The aim
is to
encourage people to reclaim their public spaces in the name of
democracy.
“Multinational companies have completely branded our public spaces. The
community is rarely, if ever, consulted about these eyesores and there
is a growing unrest about this," Australian Centre for Democracy and
Justice director Hammy Goonan said. “All we’ve done is provide an
outlet for people’s frustration with this branding and an opportunity
to take this space back.”
A stencil is a shape or image that is cut-out (usually using paper or
cardboard), placed on a wall and coloured over using spray paint,
leaving the image on the underlying surface. ACDJ is asking members of
the public to use the medium to subvert those companies who use stencil
art and advertising in general as a means of promoting their, often,
unnecessary and unsustainable products and services.
“These are companies that quite often use messages that are harmful to
society. It encourages irresponsible behaviour and ensures people
remain image conscious and addicted to products that are made in
unethical, unsustainable ways. People are being led to believe that the
only way to happiness is through consuming. We all know that’s not the
case but it is really having a subconscious effect.
“In addition, this appropriation of public space is highly
undemocratic. It’s the commons, the people’s space that we want back.
You can’t turn your head anymore without having things we don’t need
being forced upon us.”
To view the "Take Back Public Space" document Click Here.
For more details on the campaign go to: www.democracyandjustice.org.
If you've got some examples of your own stencils, or would like to get involved in the campaign the please email us at centre@democracyandjustice.org.
For comment, contact Hammy Goonan on 0402 072 653
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