Via boingboing.net
Speaking of pixelated street art, a marketing ploy went all kinds of wrong in Boston yesterday, where apparently outdoor art installations are so foreign and unappreciated that the city responded with police, the Coast Guard and the SWAT team to what amounted to battery-operated Lite-Brites of the Mooninite character from Cartoon Network’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force attached to buildings and roadways. The discovery of the “suspicious objects” (see photo) prompted city officials to call in bomb squads, and the Coast Guard to close part of the Charles River to all water traffic. Auto traffic was disrupted in several areas because of the suspected bomb threats.

By nightfall, artist Peter Berdvosky had been arrested in connection with the hoax/marketing scheme, which Massachussettes Governor Deval Patrick deemed, “not funny.” Berdovsky posted pictures on his personal website of a small group installing the figures — little square-shaped men frowning and making an obscene gesture — on the exterior wall of a hospital, on the awning of a Cambridge bar, at an Urban Outfitters, and a bridge. [Addendum: Also arrested, Sean Stevens. Both face felony charges of “placing a hoax device in a way that results in panic.” Thanks CNN]

Turner (the parent company of Cartoon Network) has apologized for the stunt, though it’s unknown if they’ve bailed the artists out of jail yet (they’re both out on $2500 bonds now.) A few of the pieces were snagged by some fast thinkers who are now selling them on eBay for big bucks. Links: www.boingboing.net / www.boston.com / www.bignewstoday.com