Chilean Government Censors Art Collective's Projection of 'FAME' on Santiago Skyscraper
On May 18, 2020, residents of El Bosque, Chile, protested lack of government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The art collective @delight_lab projected the word 'FAME' (hunger) onto the Telefónica building in Plaza Italia (now Plaza de la Dignidad) in Santiago. The government responded by installing a truck with permanent lights to block any further projections, rather than addressing the protesters' demands. The collective had also projected 'Solidarity' and 'Humanity' on May 19, which were not censored. The intervention went viral, highlighting government censorship during a crisis.
Key facts
- Protest began May 18, 2020 in El Bosque, Chile
- Protesters demanded food and aid during COVID-19
- Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters
- @delight_lab projected 'FAME' onto Telefónica building on May 20
- Government installed truck with permanent lights to censor projection
- Earlier projections of 'Solidarity' and 'Humanity' on May 19 were not censored
- Building is located in Plaza Italia, now Plaza de la Dignidad
- Collective uses light as artistic tool for political expression
Entities
Artists
- @delight_lab
- Antonio Arévalo
Institutions
- Artribune
- Telefónica
Locations
- Santiago
- Chile
- El Bosque
- Plaza Italia
- Plaza de la Dignidad