Public Ad Campaign strikes again with a new advertising takeover. This one took over 106 bus shelter ads in Madrid. Artists around the world were asked to submit text for the billboards. The above photo shows text I personally submitted. It translates to: “advertisement for a bad movie.” Check out all the other photos and artists here.

Here’s the project summary:

MaSAT (Madrid Street Advertising Takeover) is the second international street ad takeover project, and the third in a series of civil disobedience projects intent on changing our expectations of public behavior in our shared environments. For this SAT project we targeted Cemusa bus shelters in 4 heavily populated locations around Madrid. This time, at the request of our Madrid based collaborators, participants were asked to submit only text based works. This fantastic idea allowed us to open up the submission request process to a wide range of individuals including sociologist, teachers, lawyers, gallery owners and anyone with a concern for the curation and participation in public space. Each of the 106 individuals were asked to submit one sentiment they wished to see exhibited on the streets. The result is a variety of unique visions of public dialogue and a glimpse at the possibilities available when we open up our public environment in a truly public way.

We’ve covered the New York Street Advertising Takeover quite a few times on this site, but we wanted to share this new short documentary by Sarah Berman. It does a great job of telling the story of the project and the positive impact it had on our streets.

In related news, the first Toronto Street Advertising Takeover recently took place.

A prankster has added Mario Kart symbols to a Portland bike lane.

via Laughing Squid

Since 1886, various organizations (currently English Heritage) have placed circular, blue plaques around London to commemorate where important events have taken place or where prominent people have lived. The Dirty Square Gallery in London has decided to spoof the English’s quest to honor themselves by placing meaningless blue plaques around London.

Reminds us of An Ordinary Building.

via Vandalog

This guy is changing the game.

video directed by Keith Haskel

On a recent trip to Portugal, we noticed a massive number of senior citizens looking out of windows from morning till night. A common sight throughout Europe, these old-timers are usually on the lookout to report any suspicious behavior in their neighborhood.

Because of this trend, we are extremely amused by “The Senoritas of Lisboa,” a project by CC, a Portuguese art collective. This group has gone around Lisbon and placed signs parodying the Securitas (a Swedish security firm) logo underneath old ladies who seem to be permanently perched at their windows.

via Vandalog

It’s not safe to go in the water…or the Metro! Kapo, a Spanish street artist, created this shark coming out of what appears to be a subway ventilation shaft. Note the detail of the water splashing around the shark to give the mural a terrifying 3D effect.

via Inspire me, now!

The Billboard Liberation Front have announced “a new advertising improvement campaign” targeting McDonald’s billboards. They’re calling the re-branding effort “I’m Sick Of It.” The first hacked billboard appeared at the corner of California and Hyde in San Francisco.

Looks like they are doing work for Phillip Morris as well:

via Laughing Squid

We love this billboard take over by French artist OX. Hopefully the owners of the Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins appreciate the coordination with their awning.

via Public Ad Campaign

Awesome video by Keith Haskel of a new Aakash Nihalani installation. Watch until the end.