Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, June 05, 2011

The Neon Bike vs. City Hall

Pink spokes and a flower basket highlight the tension between Toronto City Hall and street art.


Caroline Macfarlane did Toronto officials a favour when she spray-painted the abandoned bicycle outside the art gallery where she works. Ordinarily the city removes bikes that have been left locked and long forgotten by their owners, but this particular bike escaped the notice of city officials as it blended into the drab stretch of Dundas Street West.

That all changed when Macfarlane and a colleague decided to give the ownerless bike a hot pink neon coating. It was quickly identified and tagged by city officials.

The only problem is that many local residents have come to like the bike's new look. And, with the impromptu art installation slated for removal, Macfarlane is getting emails from around the world, backing her in the fight to keep the pink bike on display.

Video
Source: The Mark 

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