October 22, 2013 10.49 am
This story is over 104 months old
Google Street Ghosts make their mark on Lincoln
A stand on privacy: Life-size photos of pedestrians caught by Google Street View cameras have been fixed on the buildings where they were taken in Lincoln.
Street Ghosts on Campus Way in Lincoln from Paolo Cirio. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite | View the Street View
Eight life-size photos of pedestrians caught by Google Street View cameras have been fixed on the buildings where they were taken as part of an art installation for Lincoln Frequency festival.
The project by Italian artist Paolo Cirio is called Street Ghosts and brings blurry images of pedestrians seen on Google Maps to the real world.
His project has seen international exposure, with Street Ghosts found in the United States, Australia and across Europe.
In Lincoln, five Street Ghosts can be found around Campus Way at the University of Lincoln and three on Flaxengate, near The Collection.
Street Ghosts on Campus Way in Lincoln from Paolo Cirio. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite | View on Street View
The photos are printed on thin paper and then affixed with wheatpaste at the precise spot on the wall where they appear in the Google Street View image.
Google’s Street View service captured images of Lincoln streets initially in 2009, and most of the city is available to explore from a computer screen.
Street Ghosts on Campus Way in Lincoln from Paolo Cirio. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite | View on Street View
Speaking to The Lincolnite, Paolo Cirio said: “It took me one year to come out with a concept, beyond just finding access to a wide-format printer.
“I think by working on the blurring pictures of people from the past suggested me the title for the project.
“When I published the project, internet companies, like Google, didn’t have any policy about personal data of people who pass away, they just wanted to keep any information they collect forever and trade it without asking permission.
“Today these issues are better regulated, however those companies will always try to misappropriate and store public and private information and sell it back to us.
“Street Ghosts reveals this abusive business model by reconfiguring the simple visual exposure and the context in which the pictures are displayed.
Street Ghosts on Flaxengate in Lincoln from Paolo Cirio. Photo: Elizabeth Fish | View on Street View
“It did shock people quite a lot and surprising for me too, as I would be more concerned to be on a Google Map forever and visible by anyone in the world rather than on a wall of an unknown street for a short time.
“That reaction is due to a shifting cultural perception of our privacy and what is public in the Internet world and what is private in the physical world; it underlines how people should be educated about these new environments before they lose their rights.
Street Ghosts on Campus Way in Lincoln from Paolo Cirio. Photo: Chris Brandrick | View on Street View
Paolo Cirio said reactions to his Street Ghosts project was varied, depending on the country and their cultures.
“In Germany it generated surely more concern, as culturally Germans are quite sensitive to their privacy.
“For instance, in Switzerland the service has been banned since 2009. Privacy is a cultural and personal conception, a human right that deserves to be respected.”
Street ghosts dart around the perimeter of The Collection museum. Art by Paolo Cirio. Photo: Emily Norton for The Lincolnite
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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