charlene
04-09-2009, 08:25 AM
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/616020 - article, links and pics
Where is that Google car?
Apr 09, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (4)
Kenyon Wallace
Staff Reporter
In London, they had a Waldo sighting. In Pittsburgh, they inspired a mock swordfight. In Toronto, they may get zombies on to the streets.
Wherever they go, Google's Street View cars – which use roof-top cameras to tape streetscapes for the benefit of online multitudes – stir theatrical and political reactions.
The chance of a Street View curtain call is spurring Toronto alternative arts and culture groups to make ready.
Street performers, artists and cycling groups are sharpening their acts to make a visual statement if one of the conspicuous sedans comes driving down their road.
"We want to say to Google and the rest of the world that we're aware of the somewhat creepy nature of this," says Ryan Ringer of Methinks Presents, a conceptual art troupe.
Ringer is making video-camera mascot heads and shirts that say, "We're watching you," which he and others hope to wear while swarming a Google car.
Canada's Office of the Privacy Commissioner has raised concerns about unwilling citizens having their images put online, but Google Canada says it blurs all identifiable faces and licence plates.
Google cars will be taking 360-degree photographs on public roads in 11 cities across Canada in coming weeks. Street View is a Google Maps feature that allows users to explore neighbourhoods through panoramic images.
It has created a buzz in Toronto, where websites and Twitter updates report sightings of the elusive but unmistakable Google cars. The Star's Jack Lakey spotted one yesterday, but the driver told him he wasn't supposed to talk to media and hurriedly drove off.
Yvonne Bambrick of the Toronto Cyclists Union says she's on the lookout for a Google car to put a call out to her membership at a moment's notice.
"We'd like to get cyclists out en masse and surround the car, to let people know that Toronto rides bikes," she says. "It's about messaging. Street View is a great communications tool if you plan for it."
Elsewhere, groups have used Street View to send a message and have a little fun at the same time.
Last May, Pittsburgh artists Robin Hewlett and Ben Kinsley rallied north-side residents to stage scenes – including a marching band parade, a 17th century swordfight and a marathon – as the Google car passed by.
They also staged slightly more banal scenes, such as people carrying furniture from a moving van.
"We're trying to play with this line between reality that Street View cars capture all the time and these more fantastical moments, and blur that line," says Hewitt.
"If you stumbled upon that street (as a Google viewer) and didn't know this was artwork, you might entirely believe it."
When Google unveiled Street View service in England last month, it announced one of its cars had captured an image of a real-life Waldo from the popular "Where's Waldo?" children's books.
Web users spent hours searching tens of millions of images and eventually found him, in a red-and-white-striped sweater, hat and cane, on Putney High Street in London. "Waldo" has since made Street View cameoes in France, Italy and Spain.
The idea of causing Street View double-takes appeals to Thea Munster, organizer of Toronto's zombie walk involving more than 1,000 "undead" every October.
Munster says her zombies, if able to assemble in time, would be pleased to attack a Google vehicle.
Where is that Google car?
Apr 09, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (4)
Kenyon Wallace
Staff Reporter
In London, they had a Waldo sighting. In Pittsburgh, they inspired a mock swordfight. In Toronto, they may get zombies on to the streets.
Wherever they go, Google's Street View cars – which use roof-top cameras to tape streetscapes for the benefit of online multitudes – stir theatrical and political reactions.
The chance of a Street View curtain call is spurring Toronto alternative arts and culture groups to make ready.
Street performers, artists and cycling groups are sharpening their acts to make a visual statement if one of the conspicuous sedans comes driving down their road.
"We want to say to Google and the rest of the world that we're aware of the somewhat creepy nature of this," says Ryan Ringer of Methinks Presents, a conceptual art troupe.
Ringer is making video-camera mascot heads and shirts that say, "We're watching you," which he and others hope to wear while swarming a Google car.
Canada's Office of the Privacy Commissioner has raised concerns about unwilling citizens having their images put online, but Google Canada says it blurs all identifiable faces and licence plates.
Google cars will be taking 360-degree photographs on public roads in 11 cities across Canada in coming weeks. Street View is a Google Maps feature that allows users to explore neighbourhoods through panoramic images.
It has created a buzz in Toronto, where websites and Twitter updates report sightings of the elusive but unmistakable Google cars. The Star's Jack Lakey spotted one yesterday, but the driver told him he wasn't supposed to talk to media and hurriedly drove off.
Yvonne Bambrick of the Toronto Cyclists Union says she's on the lookout for a Google car to put a call out to her membership at a moment's notice.
"We'd like to get cyclists out en masse and surround the car, to let people know that Toronto rides bikes," she says. "It's about messaging. Street View is a great communications tool if you plan for it."
Elsewhere, groups have used Street View to send a message and have a little fun at the same time.
Last May, Pittsburgh artists Robin Hewlett and Ben Kinsley rallied north-side residents to stage scenes – including a marching band parade, a 17th century swordfight and a marathon – as the Google car passed by.
They also staged slightly more banal scenes, such as people carrying furniture from a moving van.
"We're trying to play with this line between reality that Street View cars capture all the time and these more fantastical moments, and blur that line," says Hewitt.
"If you stumbled upon that street (as a Google viewer) and didn't know this was artwork, you might entirely believe it."
When Google unveiled Street View service in England last month, it announced one of its cars had captured an image of a real-life Waldo from the popular "Where's Waldo?" children's books.
Web users spent hours searching tens of millions of images and eventually found him, in a red-and-white-striped sweater, hat and cane, on Putney High Street in London. "Waldo" has since made Street View cameoes in France, Italy and Spain.
The idea of causing Street View double-takes appeals to Thea Munster, organizer of Toronto's zombie walk involving more than 1,000 "undead" every October.
Munster says her zombies, if able to assemble in time, would be pleased to attack a Google vehicle.