At the beginning of 2007, the cityscape of São Paulo, Brazil was completely flipped when all forms of graphic broadcast were outlawed in attempts to rid the city of a plague of poster and sticker vandalism. Apparently, this isn't the first time a city has adopted these measures, but an interesting look, especially for someone like myself who has built a career in commercial design and identity. I was in S.P. in April and positive the city was just slowly taking down all signage, as I witnessed a loud series of adverts all around.
Photographer Tony de Marco has documented the removal of the signage, which leaves a ghost like mood around the city. Check out his Flickr gallery for more.
City Council President Roberto Tripoli to the Herald Tribune said: “What we are aiming for is a complete change of culture.”
What
I ask all, imagine Los Angeles with no visual references of this type?
even better yet, imagine Times Square in New York, or Tokyo with no
broadcasted adverts. Pretty drastic. I would probably get lost driving
home without my usual landmarks.
The flickr gallery is pretty cool
