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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Y BLAKE PATERSON | STAFF WRITER  DEC 9, 2020

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved new rules Wednesday governing the look and placement of 5G cell towers, including a unique provision its authors expect to be copied in cities across the nation. 

The ordinance is the culmination of nearly 16 months of work that kicked off last year after an outcry from homeowners, who said they were given little to no notice when AT&T began installing the cell towers in the public rights of way in front of their homes.

Touted as the next generation of wireless broadband, 5G technology promises faster, more reliable internet service. But its rollout locally drew criticism from homeowners’ associations and residents, who say the towers housing the new technology can be eyesores and diminish property values.

The 35-page ordinance requires wireless providers to send a notice via first-class postage — within two days of applying for a construction permit — to all landowners and homeowners’ associations within a 300 foot radius of the site for the proposed facility. The Metro Council member representing the area must also be notified and a blaze orange placard must be placed on-site as notice.

Read more at: https://www.theadvocate.com/article_85364a30-3a70-11eb-9be7-efd6e1bd3acf.html

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By Christopher McKeon Local Democracy Reporter

• 12:52, 12 JUN 2020

Plans for an “ugly” 5G mast in Kirkby have been rejected over accusations of “arrogance” and “bullying” by the company responsible for the equipment.

Knowsley Council’s planning committee last night voted unanimously to refuse permission to upgrade the existing mast on top of Kirkby shopping centre, despite officers recommending they approve it.

Read more at https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/5g-company-branded-arrogant-council-18408809

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