[ファブリス]

Was just reading an article on cities banning urban billboards and found this (by a graphic designer, not real AFAIK).

Tokyo without ads: Japan's capital stripped bare (short gallery)


It reminded me of this doc I saw some months ago that I found very striking as well, it's called Ways of Seeing.

Without ads, the buildings wouldn't be there either. Capitalism relies on advertising, and tall buildings don't exist outside capitalism. Well, except for that one unfinished one in North Korea.

[ファブリス]

Here is the original article I was reading. It seems some cities at least can afford to get rid of them.

I was more surprised by the fact that there was such a movement at all.

Can cities kick ads? Inside the global movement to ban urban billboards

I had never thought about it.. but now I realize just how outdated those billboards are... when we are literally drowning in ads on the Internet (and television, and radio, ...).

Yeah, I figure that they're more likely to go away because they're outdated and expensive formats. I don't know about anyone else, but I disregard billboards. Occasionally I carpool with people and, if I'm bored, I'll look at signs; every time I'm surprised at just how many billboards there are, because I usually don't even notice them...

Not a fan of ads and billboards, but the pics look more like "Tokyo without Typography". Dude just deleted EVERYTHING.

[ファブリス]

Hehe yes that was my thought as well. There's something about calligraphy in Japan, it's part of the cultural heritage. We also have calligraphy traditions in Western countries but it's hardly as prevalent in our advertising or sign boards. So I agree he stripped Tokyo a little too bare maybe

visualsense Wrote:Not a fan of ads and billboards, but the pics look more like "Tokyo without Typography". Dude just deleted EVERYTHING.

Yes, as you say it wasn't just the ads that were removed, but all identifying signage for every business, which is primarily what those lighted signs are.

Honolulu bought out the billboard companies and then outlawed billboards way back in the 20's.