Clearchannel Censors Video Art in Dundas Square

Clearchannel Censors Video Art in Dundas Square

Economies of Scale vs. Economies of Scale



A bit of controversy is stirring around Dundas Square in Toronto that
involves Clearchannel, Super Mario, Myfanwy Ashmore, Brenda Goldstein,
butoh dancing, the Bank of Montreal, and the 29th and 59th minute of
every hour.  



Transmedia 29:59
is a year long exhibition on the pedestrian level video billboard at
Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto. Launched August 1st 2005,
TRANSMEDIA :29:59 features one minute video works 24/7 every half hour
on the 29th and 59th minutes. Transmedia is curated by Michael Alstad
and Michelle Kasprzak of Year Zero One.



Transmedia 29:59 first ran into trouble with Clearchannel in March, when Clearchannel pulled Myfanwy Ashmore's artwork "Mario Trilogy" on grounds that the artwork, which references the video game SuperMario, was a violation of copyright.



Now Clearchannel is censoring a second artwork from being shown in the
public square. Brenda Goldstein's video art piece "Economies of Scale",
which shows Goldstein performing a Butoh Dance inspired performance on
a street corner during rush hour.



What was the problem with "Economies of Scale"? According to Transmedia
29:59 curator Michael Alstad, Clearchannel doesn't approve of the fact
that you can see a "competitor's" video billboard across the street, as
well as the fact that a Bank of Montreal logo is visible in the piece.



The issue is getting some outraged press. Here is the article
by Ron Nurwisah of the Torontoist, who agrees with Alstad when he says
that "Dundas Square is "supposed to be a public square with a mandate
for community events and culture".



For some background information on Clearchannel, read the Buzzflash article, outlining the company's history as a supporter of big business, Bush and the Republican media machine.