Last week, in a coordinated attack by guerrilla artists across the UK, 365 outdoor ads were replaced by hand-printed works of art. It was a project of Brandalism, and they hit 10 cities, using hi-viz vests and steely nerves as camouflage while they did their work.
A staggering 365 outdoor corporate ads were replaced in just two days, in broad daylight no less, by these radical anti-consumerist activists donning orange safety vests. Organizers are calling it the “largest advertising takeover in world history.”“Any advert in a public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours. It’s yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. You can do whatever you like with it,” said controversial street artist Banksy in 2012, “Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.
“You owe the companies nothing. Less than nothing, you especially don’t owe them any courtesy. They owe you. They have re-arranged the world to put themselves in front of you. They never asked for your permission, don’t even start asking for theirs.”
‘Brandalism’ rampage leaves subversive damage in its wake [Rusty Blazenhoff/Cnet]