Shared Propulsion Car (pull over by Toronto Police), 2007
Video 3’ 48’’. Ed. 1/5
The driver of the artwork Shared Propulsion Car is being arrested by Toronto Police on Queen Street West in Toronto. The revolutionary vehicle was made from a Buick Regal 1986 body, stripped of its engine, suspension, transmission and electrical system and propels by the will to power of its passengers. The vehicle provides the illusion of the mass-produced luxury automobile, but is now reduced to a shell with a top speed of 15 kilometres per hour. This unique car needs no petrol, produces no toxic emission and is not responsible for the innocent people killed for petrol in the Middle East. Furthermore, in this individualist society, this convivial car was proposed as a good solution to bring people together and take over the street. Dean Baldwin, the driver, took the steering wheel and, with his fellows Elaine, Dave and Dan, drove the car smoothly on the streets. The public was enthusiastic, and sympathized with the drivers. They drove nine blocks, from Lisgar to Strachan, before being pulled over by the police.They had to wait for 30 minutes in the car, while the policemen tried to determine exactly which law was transgressed. They settled on “operating an unsafe vehicle” and a tow-truck was called.
