Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
PepsiMax Suicide Themed Ads
I recently came across PepsiMax "suicide" themed ads - created by BBDO Dusseldorf - and I have to say, I'm genuinely surprised at the controversy generated in response to this ad series. Believe it or not, there are over 500,000 results for ‘Pepsi suicide ads’ in Google. Pepsi has been accused of generating these ads as a "publicity stunt" I find this hard to believe considering it was only published in a niche lifestyle magazine in Germany.
For those who aren't familiar w/ this ad series, I'll attach an image to this post (see below)
The ads show a blue, bean-shaped character (representing the ONLY calorie in PepsiMax - Pepsi's 1 calorie beverage) attempting to kill himself. Each ad has the following tagline “one very very very lonely calorie.”
In no time the ads began to appear in blogs, websites, and newspapers. Across the globe, people took offense to the ad.'Surprisingly' even Suicide Prevention institutions got involved, claiming the ads are "insensitive, of poor taste, inappropriate", to mention a few. I do think however that the choice of 'traditional' suicide methods allowed people to relate more to the issue. If it were simply the calorie taking off in a rocket, etc, it would be more distant from our realities, therefor less personal and less likely to offend.(for those who got offended, not ME)
Maybe I'M BEING insensitive: But aren't we talking about a little blue, bean shaped cartoon? The LAST calorie on earth (so sad) Did anyone else grow up on Bugs bunny? Tom and Jerry? The thanksgiving episode - A Lonely Orphan? (anyone?) How often did Road Runner fall of a cliff?
For those who aren't familiar w/ this ad series, I'll attach an image to this post (see below)
The ads show a blue, bean-shaped character (representing the ONLY calorie in PepsiMax - Pepsi's 1 calorie beverage) attempting to kill himself. Each ad has the following tagline “one very very very lonely calorie.”
In no time the ads began to appear in blogs, websites, and newspapers. Across the globe, people took offense to the ad.'Surprisingly' even Suicide Prevention institutions got involved, claiming the ads are "insensitive, of poor taste, inappropriate", to mention a few. I do think however that the choice of 'traditional' suicide methods allowed people to relate more to the issue. If it were simply the calorie taking off in a rocket, etc, it would be more distant from our realities, therefor less personal and less likely to offend.(for those who got offended, not ME)
Maybe I'M BEING insensitive: But aren't we talking about a little blue, bean shaped cartoon? The LAST calorie on earth (so sad) Did anyone else grow up on Bugs bunny? Tom and Jerry? The thanksgiving episode - A Lonely Orphan? (anyone?) How often did Road Runner fall of a cliff?
Monday, January 12, 2009
James Jean + Kenichi Hoshine
Saturday I went to James Jean + Kenichi Hoshine's opening at the Jonathan Levine Gallery. I have never seen Levine so packed! Needless to say, James Jean put on 'quiet' a show. His pieces were absolutely amazing! Story, palette, body language - phenomenal.
I was thrown completely off guard once I moved along to Kenichi Hoshine's show. Levine as we know, stands apart from most NYC galleries because it presents a very specific type of work; heavily influenced by illustration, graphic novels, graffiti and pop imagery. That being said I'm not sure Kenichi's work fit well into the "usual" work showcased by Levine.
I, particularly, enjoyed Kenichi Hoshine's work. However, I felt that in this particular show combining such different 'languages' was of poor choice. While Kenichi Hoshine work is defined by its minimalist, ghostlike qualities, James Jean's shouts with excess, detail and and vibrant palette.
As a result of this "odd" choice of combination I think that unfortunately Kenichi Hoshine's work did not get the attention it deserved.
The show will be up until February 7th.
Those who can, check it out!
Above one of my favorite pieces currently being showcased.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Eeko Grass - "THE" Project
"Eeko Grass" is a new personal project which I'm very excited about! It began as a school project and I have decided to take it THE extra mile.
Earlier this year Simon and Schuster launched "Little Green"; the very first line of eco-friendly children’s novelty and storybooks. I have to say this really triggered my interest in developing a project of this nature.
Growing up 10 miles outside of Sao Paulo, in one of the largest urban forests in the world known as "Serra da Cantareira" most of my friends and I developed at a young age a very appreciative and unique relationship to nature. Unfortunately, many kids today independent of whether they are growing up in cities, or in a rural area, lack this kind of relationship to the environment. My "hope" is to inspire them, through Eeko, to want to help save the environment.
The actual project:
I have decided to put a together a guide to "Green Living" for kids. Fun! Not preachy! Something every kid can enjoy and relate to (one way, or the other). The mission is to introduce young kids to environmentally friendly concepts in a way that's fun and simple, inspiring young readers to volunteer, recycle, re-use and help save the environment.
Earlier this year Simon and Schuster launched "Little Green"; the very first line of eco-friendly children’s novelty and storybooks. I have to say this really triggered my interest in developing a project of this nature.
Growing up 10 miles outside of Sao Paulo, in one of the largest urban forests in the world known as "Serra da Cantareira" most of my friends and I developed at a young age a very appreciative and unique relationship to nature. Unfortunately, many kids today independent of whether they are growing up in cities, or in a rural area, lack this kind of relationship to the environment. My "hope" is to inspire them, through Eeko, to want to help save the environment.
The actual project:
I have decided to put a together a guide to "Green Living" for kids. Fun! Not preachy! Something every kid can enjoy and relate to (one way, or the other). The mission is to introduce young kids to environmentally friendly concepts in a way that's fun and simple, inspiring young readers to volunteer, recycle, re-use and help save the environment.
Monday, December 15, 2008
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