{"id":322,"date":"2020-09-18T16:44:20","date_gmt":"2020-09-18T14:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/?p=322"},"modified":"2021-03-04T11:24:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T10:24:42","slug":"camouflage-or-masquerade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/09\/18\/camouflage-or-masquerade\/","title":{"rendered":"Camouflage or Masquerade?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">When it comes to strategies to disguise &#8216;unwanted&#8217; objects in public space, the territory is vast. Myriad concepts and techniques, most derived from nature, are employed to mask unsightly public infrastructure; so the topic requires closer inspection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Camouflage is defined as &#8216;the use of any combination of materials,<br>coloration, or illumination for concealment with the intention to<br>make objects blend into their surroundings&#8217; (wikipedia).<br>While masquerade is in play when &#8216;the camouflaged object looks like something else of no special interest to the observer&#8217;. Masquerade might involve camouflaging methods, but not necessarily. In the end, the objective is the same &#8211; to deceive the observer by hiding the object&#8217;s true nature.<br><br>In the pictured example, the ventilation shaft serving an underground metrostation masquerades as a publicity column \u2013 a &#8216;peperbus&#8217; in Dutch jargon. The &#8216;peperbus&#8217; has long been used for advertising public events and announcements; a multidirectional object with maximum surface area for exposure, and usually located at a prominent spot in public space.<br><br>Yet, this particular specimen is in an awkward location, above eye level atop a mound, sandwiched between bushes so partly hidden and creating a front- and backside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=580%2C580&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?resize=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_3.jpg?w=1462&amp;ssl=1 1462w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Paradoxically, the column is clad in colourful posters that are meant to draw public attention to get a message across. But such publicity has become so established in the public domain that it seems not to stand out anymore, blending as urban decor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, camouflage or masquerade in this example? I\u2019d say camouflaged masquerade. To be continued.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to strategies to disguise &#8216;unwanted&#8217; objects in public space, the territory is vast. Myriad concepts and techniques, most derived from nature, are employed to mask unsightly public infrastructure; so the topic requires closer inspection. Camouflage is defined as &#8216;the use of any combination of materials,coloration, or illumination for concealment with the intention [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":325,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[18],"tags":[31,29,19],"class_list":["post-322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-public-infrastructure","tag-public-infrastructure","tag-publicity","tag-rotterdam"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/column_1-rotated.jpg?fit=1512%2C1512&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":362,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/09\/28\/through-the-looking-glas-or-alice-in-mirrorland\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":0},"title":"Through the Looking Glass or the Mirror as a Cloaking Device","author":"Floorvand","date":"28 September 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Another strategy to camouflage 'unwanted' objects in public space is to cover them with mirrors. It\u2019s an oft-used device meant to clad a structure with a surface that reflects its surroundings in order to become less conspicuous - the mirror as a cloaking device. The ventilation shaft pictured is from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Public Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Public Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/public-infrastructure\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_9589-scaled-e1601307211921.jpg?fit=946%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_9589-scaled-e1601307211921.jpg?fit=946%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_9589-scaled-e1601307211921.jpg?fit=946%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_9589-scaled-e1601307211921.jpg?fit=946%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":609,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/08\/25\/hostile-hospitality-in-bruges\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":1},"title":"Hostile Hospitality in Bruges","author":"Floorvand","date":"25 August 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Of all the creative disciplines involved in public space \u2013 industrial design, (landscape)architecture, urbanism \u2013 the arts hold a special position. An artist can operate relatively free of the constraints imposed by the demands of a client or institution. For they are their own client, their views and obsessions are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Hostile Architecture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Hostile Architecture","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/hostile-architecture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Birdseye_view-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C907&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Birdseye_view-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C907&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Birdseye_view-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C907&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Birdseye_view-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C907&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Birdseye_view-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C907&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2020\/08\/28\/public-seat-or-trash-container\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":2},"title":"Public Seat or Trash Container?","author":"Floorvand","date":"28 August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Clearly this object in public space is ambiguous. Given its recognisable form, the seat is mistaken for a trash bin, appearing similar to the underground waste containers in Rdam (image below). Yet, it was designed with a very different objective. These seats, placed at strategic points in public space, are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Public Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Public Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/public-infrastructure\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8958-scaled-e1598960461713.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8958-scaled-e1598960461713.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8958-scaled-e1598960461713.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8958-scaled-e1598960461713.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/IMG_8958-scaled-e1598960461713.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":519,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/05\/21\/the-city-as-a-canvas-sing-along-city-by-studio-vollaerszwart\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":3},"title":"The City as a Canvas: Sing Along City by Studio VollaersZwart","author":"Floorvand","date":"21 May 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Although I am not as much a fan of the European Song Contest as some of my friends, I must admit that the creative vibe that is currently spreading through the city is contagious. The way Rotterdam is 'dressed up' for the Event is innovative, colourful and bold, as the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Public Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Public Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/public-infrastructure\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3024-scaled.jpeg?fit=980%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3024-scaled.jpeg?fit=980%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3024-scaled.jpeg?fit=980%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_3024-scaled.jpeg?fit=980%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":456,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2021\/03\/03\/ad-hoc-defensive-urbanism-or-public-space-paranoia\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":4},"title":"Ad-hoc Defensive Urbanism or Public Space Paranoia","author":"Floorvand","date":"3 March 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Over a year ago, the Corona-crisis broke and led to worldwide lockdowns that restricted acces to public space on the grounds of preventing viral spread. We were bombarded with \u2018nudging\u2019 methods that used tape, stickers and all manner of improvised materials to instruct our behaviour to maintain social distance, where\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Corona Files&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Corona Files","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/corona-files\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_8146-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1176,"url":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/2024\/01\/31\/bankjesgate\/","url_meta":{"origin":322,"position":5},"title":"Bankjesgate","author":"Floorvand","date":"31 January 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Scroll down for English Station Rotterdam Centraal is alweer tien jaar geleden geopend en het gebouw is ontegenzeggelijk een aanwinst voor de stad. De expressieve luifel is een groots en gastvrij gebaar richting de stad, en vice versa. Het voorplein loopt naadloos over in de ruime en overzichtelijke stationshal, een\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Public Building&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Public Building","link":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/category\/public-building\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_2760-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_2760-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_2760-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_2760-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_2760-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcM59q-5c","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=322"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":471,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions\/471"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicspacedetective.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}