Wednesday, December 03, 2003  
Matt Blackett [M@B] in the star speaking as a member of the Toronto Public Space Committee about the commercialization of our communities

:: Posted by max @ 12/03/2003 09:43:00 PM
Cartoonist Matt Blackett, who's strip M@B apears weekly in print and online in Toronto's Eye Weekly, has joined forces with a band of a local grassroots organization called the Toronto Public Space Committee. Together they seek to take back public spaces for the people, all the people, regardless of mode of transport, and questions the roll or privet corporate control over our city streets.



From their web site

“The Toronto Public Space Committee strives to democratize our public spaces which have become dominated by private interest, automobiles and outdoor advertising. Freedom of expression cannot be extended only to those who can afford billboards. We need to level the playing field by reducing corporate visual pollution and increasing independent expression on our streets. And freedom of mobility should not rest only in the hands of drivers. For our collective health and safety, Toronto must reduce its dependence on the private automobile by creating a safer environment for pedestrians and increasing funding for cycling infrastructure and public transit.”







To promote their ideas and campaigns the Toronto Public Space Committee is launching a magazine called Sapcing in the Dundas Square, which has in the last 6 years been transformed from a spontaneous and unplanned meeting space for people to a time square style bonanza of billboards and commercial orgy of capitalist craziness, where now you can be BANNED from the street for dawning a peace symbol on the sidewalk! I kid you not. The Toronto Star intervied Matt about the Committee and Sapcing Dec 3rd...



When Blackett was at the square for a photo session for this article, he was told by a guard that he needed a permit to take photos there. "I said we wouldn't need to get a permit to take a photo at City Hall," Blackett said. "He said, `I guess you're right.'">>>



Digging for dirt the Star asked about their own relationship to future sponsors…



When activists who belong to the Toronto Public Space Committee gathered to brainstorm ideas for spacing, their new bi-annual magazine, some rules were so obvious as to go unmentioned.

For one thing, advertisers: "Absolut public space? No, I don't think so," said the art director Matt Blackett, laughing at the notion of the lifestyle-skewed vodka brand supporting the efforts of a civic-minded, grassroots organization. "It's more about (sponsors) that jive with our philosophy.">>>



I recognise quite a few names brought up as being connected to the project, this is a serious bunch of folks! Glad to see the comminute spirit of Toronto has not been totally squashed. I grew up in Hog Town and I had to leave when the city went insane in the mid/late 90s. I hope that groups like this and the results of the recent Mayoral election indicate a change in direction for the better for my old home town.



    
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