In 66 photographs, Annette LeMay Burke explores the giant fake trees hosting crow’s nests of cellular transmitters.

by Sarah Rose Sharp May 10, 2021

As early as the introduction of railroads and the telegraph system, the Western landscape has struggled with the aesthetics of convenience. From commercial interests like strip malls and billboards, to national systems like highways and telephone wires, to individual interventions like graffiti and public sculpture, the definition of “eyesore” is a constantly shifting target. In a new book, photographer Annette LeMay Burke has turned her eye to one of the latest incursions on the visual landscape: cell phone towers cosplaying as trees.

Over the course of 66 color landscapes, Burke explores scenarios which largely feature giant fake trees hosting a crow’s nests of cellular transmitters. Though the initial sense of FAUXLIAGE (Daylight, May 2021) is somewhat playful, because the subject matter is so profoundly absurd, the litany of images soon takes on a kind of Stepford Wives feeling of dread. There is something wrong with the trees that are not trees. Even driving by them at highway speed, there is a jarring disconnect as our eye sorts the organic from the imposter. Presented here for longer reflection, these towers shift from briefly visually dislocating to vaguely, then increasingly, disturbing.

In other images, churches boost their reception by secreting cell towers inside giant crosses, and an American Legion post attempts to doll up a tower by using it as a flag pole. Here, we enter a kind of uncanny valley as symbols of worship take on a surveillance role, transmitting not only our thoughts and prayers, but our data and location. We are used to symbols that signify; it is something else to realize that as we look to them, they look back into us.

Visit https://hyperallergic.com/643295/annette-lemay-burke-fauxliage-cell-phone-towers/ to read the article and to view the images.

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Many consider 5G small cell installations to be at best an eye sore and at worst a serious health risk

By Catherine Sbeglia on AUGUST 26, 2019

5G, the fifth generation of wireless technology, will give consumers access to more information faster and make businesses more efficient, and will create an unprecedented level connectivity around the world. However, 5G also requires high-band spectrum, which penetrates poorly and has weak coverage area, resulting in the need for small antenna systems, or small cell systems, to be deployed in large numbers and in close proximity to one another.  

According to a 2018 report from the CTIA, the number of deployed small cells is predicted to increase from 86,000 in 2018 to more than 800,000 by 2026. 

While these frequently placed small cell towers are necessary for 5G deployment, they are being met with hesitation — and in some cases, downright disdain — by residents and tribal and environmental groups who at best, consider the towers an eye sore and at worst, a serious health risk.  

All across the U.S., from California to Colorado to New York, concerns are pouring in. In fact, despite not having yet received a single proposal to deploy small cell 5G wireless towers within town limits, the Mill Valley, CA city council voted unanimously to block deployments of 5G towers in the city’s residential areas by activating an urgency ordinance. Mill Valley officials cited an increase in cancer risks and other health problems that the EMF Safety Network has associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields as motivation behind the decision.  

Further south in San Francisco, the California Supreme Court ruled in April that San Francisco can reject 5G wireless equipment that doesn’t meet local aesthetic standards.  

And while the Common Council in Syracuse, NY ultimately approved Verizon’s proposed 5G small cell tower installations, the decision to do so was in no way unanimous, passing by five to three. During a meeting before the Syracuse vote took place, Common Council President Helen Hudson revealed that the council received numerous calls and letters from residents regarding the potential health risks of 5G.  

These health concerns arise from the fact small cell towers must be placed close together and in large numbers. In Syracuse, for example, they will be installed on nearly every block, resulting in constant, long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and this, many argue, might have unknown side effects.  

Most experts and organizations including the American Cancer Society and the Environmental Protection Agency don’t classify radiofrequency radiation as cancer-causing for humans; this, however, has done little to quiet those in opposition. 

Much to the dismay of those who fear the health risks, or those who don’t want network infrastructure obscuring their view, facilitating the deployment of small cells necessary to support 5G networks is a priority for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who continues to push for the reduction of regulatory requirements for small wireless facilities.  

Source – see link below:

Opposition to 5G small cell deployment spreads across US

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https://www.bbklaw.com/news-events/news-room/2019/in-the-news/07/partner-gerry-lederer-discusses-cities-5g-challen?utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=ITN_Gerry_5G_WSJ&utm_content=In_the_News

JUL 08, 2019

Communities Are Having a Hard Time Keeping Up with Wiring Permits

For the Wall Street Journal article “The Downside of 5G: Overwhelmed Cities, Torn-Up Streets, a Decade Until Completion,” Best Best & Krieger LLP Partner Gerry Lederer discussed the impact of 5G  on communities. In an interview with the newspaper, the telecommunications law attorney said cities are having a hard time keeping up with the permits.

Gerry, who represents municipalities in an attempt to overturn FCC rules that dictate how cities must respond to industry 5G permits, noted that most the 5G build-out is only in the planning stage. “The real onslaught has not yet begun,” he said.

Learn more about the FCC’s actions, and cities’ efforts to oppose them, in these recent Legal Alerts:

https://www.bbklaw.com/News-Events/Insights/2019/Legal-Alerts/04/Ordinance-Regulating-Aesthetics-of-Wireless-in-Pub

https://www.bbklaw.com/News-Events/Insights/2019/Legal-Alerts/01/New-FCC-Shot-Clocks-and-Other-Rules-Preempting-Loc

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The response is a unanimous objection to this application for several reasons, including the negative impact on health and the aesthetics of the town.

Preston residents have objected to the a telecommunications mast and base station being constructed in the area.

An application was made to Umdoni Municipality for special consent in terms of the Spatial Planning Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA Act No. 16 of 2013).

The mast and base station are to be constructed at 21 Preston Road, Park Rynie where the Old Apostolic church is.

The time to comment on the proposal is now over, but ward councillor, Eddie Baptie, managed to put together a public meeting last Wednesday, just before the cut-off time, at which he objected to this application and so did several other residents.

Councillor Baptie’s reasons for objection:

1. In terms of the SPLUMA bylaws it is a requirement for the ward councillor to be given notice of proposed town planning amendments, for comment. Such notice was not served. Unless it can be shown otherwise, this avoidance is considered to be a deliberate attempt to curtail the rights of citizens and their legal representative.

2. I have studied the application and see no reason or motivation to exceed building lines. This request therefore appears to be arbitrary and intended to defeat the purpose of building lines in the Land Use Management Scheme (LUMS).

3. Erf 577 Park Rynie is zoned ‘Residential Only 3’ and the application use, a telecommunications mast and base station, is not permitted under special consent in this zone. This application should therefore be dismissed on grounds that it cannot conform to the provisions of the LUMS and would constitute an illegal structure if erected. Should the applicant aver that this use is permitted then the applicant must show this to be the case in terms of the definitions and other provisions in the LUMS. It is my specific request that the senior planner provide an explanation how this proposed structure could be interpreted as one of the special consent uses.

4. I have had extensive engagements with residents of Park Rynie and arranged a public meeting (last week) to provide opportunity for their expression, and to provide information on the process. The response is a unanimous objection to this application for numerous reasons, including the negative impact on health and the negative impact on the amenity and aesthetics of the town. As the elected representative of these residents I must add their objections to those as stated above.

Umdoni Municipality was asked to comment, but had not provided any feedback at the time of writing.

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