Saturday, November 21, 2009

Advertisement - Appeal to fear
















Fear tactic used in advertising-

This was an ad used in Canada for cholesterol medication. The company wants to scare those who have high cholesterol into asking their dr about cholesterol lowering drugs. With out the use of their drugs they will die. This is a very straight forward and creates fear. They used a bottom morgue photo with a toe tag and highlighted the most important message in the tag line at the top. Appeal to fear is often used by pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, ie, DOT seat belt laws, drunk driving ads, anti smoking ads and any organization that want people to know the most extream dangers of doing or not doing something.

Appeal to fear propaganda- historical propaganda





















Historical poster-

This propaganda poster appears to be targeted toward young males. Violence is typically directed toward men as a call to action, that if you do not fight for your country they will rape and destroy your women and your country. Here the fear and doom are not subliminal, they are evident, if you dont act now, this is what will happen, you must protect your motherland.






























Historical propaganda-

Appeal to fear propaganda was overly used during WWII. I believe they mostly spoke to the women at home who were hopeful for their loved ones to come home. They were the primary targets of this type of propaganda. This one seems to be very simple with the idea of monster hands and a mother protecting her child, I know it would speak volumes to me if i lived in during those times. The hands are dark and monstrous and the blue background gives an idea of gloom.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Bauhaus/Joost Schmidt


Joost Schmidt
Ausstellung Arntz Holzchnitte

1925



















YKO Kohlepapier,

Joost Schmidt

1926

























Joost Schmidt
Bauhaus exhibition poster
1923






When I look at the Bauhaus images, I see as a mix representation. Some of the posters are very detailed and others are very reduced. However, there are a few elements that are obvious. Bauhaus uses very geometric shapes and lines. They tend to use directional typography. By directional, I mean vertical, horizontal, upside down and reflected. Though some works are very simple they still guide your eye all over the production. You eyes move, right, left, up, down and sometimes you feel like you are going in circles.
It was this sense of reduction and movement that caught my Eye. The colors are also another important factor to the Bauhaus movement. They focused on elementary elements we all have access to and are associated with. The use of basic and secondary colors brings us back to the beginning when life was simple. But they lead us beyond the simple with the shapes, lines and movement of the they create and modernity.
This movement is so very important still today. I Ikea seems to be a company that produces in the style of the Bauhaus movement. Ikea has brought brought Bauhaus into American homes through mass production. However, sad to say, I am not sure most Americans know where the style influence comes from and how it was started.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Crash-Graffiti artist























Crash-John Matos, year and title unknown, Graffiti art

Crash, John Matos, began plastering his art on trains, subways and vacant building at the tender age of 13. His place is society has been very important for graffiti artists in the 70's and 80's. He was one of the pioneers to transcend graffiti art from the streets to the walls of an art gallery, high art!
Art is an amazing concept. Art is any and everywhere, many people are quick to denounce graffiti as art, but it is part of a culture, it is how people tell their story...is that not what art is?
I quickly gravitated to the work above. I am a huge fan of Pop Artist James Rosenquist, and the above work instantly reminded me of Rosenquist's work. Upon comparing them they are both on the same scale and the color and subject are remarkably close. This work is about life and looking deep into ones thoughts and mind. Extremely touching....

Aubrey Beardsly-Art Nouveau






















The Black Domino, Aubrey Beardsly, Art Nouveau, 1885-1898

Aubrey Beardsly's work is exquisite, simple, intricate and amazing. This Victorian artist produced many fine works during his very short life. He was inspired by Japanese art and this is very visible in many of his works. The figures often tend to follow a grotesques subject, masculine feminine figures and erotic figures in compromising positions. That was his plan, he wanted to be grotesque!
His Japanese inspired works caught my eye, they appear simple. His use of black and white create intense contrast and arouse emotion. In The Black Domino, you can feel the masked figure gazing out at you as they appear to be in motion. The lack of surroundings and the mask alludes curiosity. Where is this figure, what are they doing and why are they hiding their identity? I love works that keep me yearning for more. If I look at another work will it tell me more of the story? Maybe, maybe not!