"Advert-Eyes"

If you're interested in creative advertising, copy and art direction then this blog is a really great archive of what the big agencies have been doing worldwide over the last couple of years!

McCann Erickson, Santiago

Saatchi & Saatchi, Aukland

Lowe Communications, Athens.

Campaign against Landmines.

Guerrilla

DDB London, part of a campaign feat. Mr Bean and George Bush and many other sketches.  I remember seeing these at an exhibition at the Urbis back in 2007.

Love it!

http://zero-zed.blogspot.com/

Tim Burton: Alice In Wonderland

The first few images from Alice In Wonderland have been released and I think it looks set to be a visually stunning film.  I have always been interested in media make-up and prosthetics and I think that the costume/set/make-up has a very imaginative and whimsical aesthetic which I absolutely love!
Seeing as the movie isn't set for release til 2010 the images also made me think about publicity.  I love how the trailer borrows the line "A very important date" creating emphasis and anticipation for the release of the film.

FTM: The Evolution of Underwear

Firstly, whoever thinks it's really funny to turn around the sign post for the FTM... who sent us round in several circles.... you are hilarious! Pat on the back for you.

We eventually found the FTM, which was somehow unmissable with it's pink and orange exterior.  It was founded by Zandra Rhodes in 2003, "born out of her passion and desire to inspire, support and develop" those who want to work within the fashion industry.  The current exhibition on display is Undercover: The Evolution of Underwear.  This was a celebration of the role of underwear and the way it has shaped and defined women for centuries.  Having evolved from a prime function of supporting and containing a woman, it is interesting to see how it has become a significant means of obtaining the desired fashionable figure, as well as correlating with trends in outerwear and becoming a fashion "must have."  The collection documented how bra design reflects social, cultural and economic changes and how it has become such an iconic garment during the 20th century.

Underwear has the power to liberate or oppress a wearer.  It can become scandalous and seductive, emotive in nature.  A woman is not restricted by age or fashion rules and protocols - preference being born out of state of mind.  Something that I found most interesting is how it explained how a pattern or use of colour can radically change the perception and personality of a garment.  The Agent Provocateur piece was a great example of this, showing pastel colours which convey femininity but the addition of the embroided cherry motif changes the context and creates a cheeky feel.  Other examples showed how Black signifies control and seduction, and how white represents purity and innocence - typically bridal underwear.  

The exhibition had a boudoir theme and I loved this asthetic.  It provoked a suitable feel, with soft use of music, lighting and colour to create a definite feminine vibe.

I also loved how it began with a timeline which focused on female social events from 1900 to present day, a few from the list:

• 1926: Coco Chanel introduced the little black dress
  
• 1975: Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren rename their shop SEX, producing bondage and fetish inspired garments, becoming synonymous with the Punk movement.
  
• 1998: The pilot for Sex And The City goes to air, launching four individual fashion icons for the noughties.
  

The advertising and marketing of underwear featured in this exhibition though it only included one or two examples.  I would have loved it if there had been more!  

Wonderbra and Agent Provocateur campaigns were briefly mentioned, amongst some much older campaigns (above).  The most described and interesting was Elle Mcpherson's AW 2005 'Intimate Stories.'  The posters show the model positioned as if you were glimpsing into her  private world.  She is surrounded by possessions that may indicate her personality and the main concept with this campaign is for the story to come from the beholder.  Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Elton John were just some of the stars who contributed to the writing of this ad series.  I wish I had got some pics of these, can't find any online :(

I also think it's worth mentioning that the free exhibition leaflet was beautifully designed and informative, opening out into a Lana Turner poster!  All in all, an interesting trip and now that I know where it is I will probably visit future exhibitions.

The Design Museum.

I also managed to go to The Design Museum on my flying visit around London Town.  It was in a really nice location, just off of Shad Thames.  There were three exhibitions on -  Mariscal: Drawing Life, Jan Kaplicky - Architect of the Future, but it was the Super Contemporary that had drawn me there.

Super Contemporary was best described by it's initial blurb in the leaflet.  Stating: it is a "landmark exhibition that traces the city's creative networks" with a view to mapping out the "impact of London's recent past on the contemporary."

"As with planning a journey within London, there is no one way through this exhibition, it has numerous routes for you to take... explore and enjoy!"

After spending the past day and a half wandering around the city, sometimes in circles, I thought the layout accurately reflected the purpose for the exhibition.  The main attraction is the timeline that runs around the edge of the room - it would take all day to read, it is mad that such a small room can contain so much information.  If I was to make a crit it would maybe be that it wasn't too easy on the eye, a million things to take in at once and some of it was really high up and dimly lit, which made some stuff hard to read and photograph.

News & Culture, Architecture, Product, Communication and Fashion each had their own line, displaying each year/event with a decription, image and map.  It followed events such as the founding of D&AD in 1962, the First Things First Manifesto, the Punk Movement and the Credit Crunch of 2009.  It documented the swinging sixties with acknowledgement to 'Blow Up', Twiggy, The Who, The Beatles and The Stones.  The likes of Vivienne Westwood, Mary Quant, Daniel Eatock, Jonathon Barnbrook and Peter Saville were also included.  Artwork for Pink Floyd and A Clockwork Orange were also recognised, as was Channel 4's identity, and publications such as Creative Review and British Vogue when they featured Monolo Blahnik as the first male coverstar in 1974.  It was also interesting to learn about retail innovations and to see the commissions for Road Signs, The British Rail Logo and Traffic Lights that are still in use decades later... the list of content is endless!  This exhibition is a great archive of cultural and contextual events and how it inspires designers to communicate through their chosen media, whether it be fashion, graphics or architecture etc.  It shapes awareness on how much people and events can change the perception of design and it definitely celebrates the scene.  The core of the exhibition featured 15 commissions from different disciplines who were asked to design something that gives back to London.  These were all really diverse and shows just how freethinking a creative in London can be.  I like how it pointed out that there is no specific style to London and that it allows opposites to coexist and interact, whilst remaining independent.  

I briefly looked at the Jan Kaplicky exhibition as it didn't really capture my imagination, however it was interesting to see more of his designs and understand his work as I previously only knew him as the architect behind the Selfridges store in Birmingham.

As for the Javier Mariscal exhibition, his work is not something that would inspire me or something that I would find visually attractive, but I loved how you stepped into the exhibition through the 'installation shower' (which featured 640 double sided illustrations) that brought you out into a fully illustrated environment.

"We like drawings to tickle our eyes"

I really liked some of the quotes on the wall, above, as well as  "Life was so happy and easy that it bored me."  I read that Mariscal doesn't just observe the world but tries to shape it, which was reflected in the commentary and layout.  This was a really visual exhibition, with animations, installations and a vast amount of merchandise etc. so I have inc. a few extra piccies of this one.  

All in all this was a really good visit and I think that I will expand on Super Contemporary in my third year journal.

Rankin Live

This exhibition, was a real visual treat for me!

I absolutely love Rankin's work.♥

Still kicking myself that I didn't speak to him when I saw him

sat in thegallery on his mac -

workin'... playin' tunes.

Kick. Kick. Kick.

I have a feeling this will be a very long post...

I wrote my 2nd year essay on David Bailey and Rankin after watching BBC4 doc 'Seven Photographs That Changed Fashion.'  Ever since, I've always looked to Rankin for inspiration. This interactive exhibition has been well documented and I had to go and see it!  The live project features Rankin's bid to shoot, print and exhibit one thousand members of the public, as well as putting on display a vast portfolio of work.  It has been deemed his most ambitious project yet, done in record time.  The sole aim is to create a contemporary portrait of Britain, with a depth that democratises the perceived glamour of the photographic studio in a bid to make it accessible to all.  This highlights the process that makes models and celebrities 'picture perfect.'

"Everyone at art college tries to piss on your parade.

And you do the same back to them.

It's a really tough environment."

The opening quote to the retrospective part of the exhibition, that begins with Archive and ME ME ME.  It documents Rankin exploring and finding his ability and technique whilst constantly being told at college that it must be conceptual.  He just photographed without reason and the outcomes are unique.  Some are funny, some shocking - all are instinctive.  A lot of this early work saw him turning the camera on himself and just discovering what could be said by his experimentation.  And if something works... don't try to replicate it.  The wow factor with all the images was the quality of the prints.  They themselves, were amazing!  Huge, glossy and the detail picked up by the camera, I've seen nothing like it.

What I love about Rankin's images, is that they are raw and informative.  They do not require a title, blurb/info, or a date - for they are timeless, powerful pieces.  They speak profoundly for themselves and state a captured moment, a "Frozen Magic."  This was explained further in the Erotic section but evident throughout the gallery, his belief that a photograph is "a relationship compressed into a moment."  With a theory practiced by Bailey, and other notable fashion photographers, to achieve a great picture you must "let yourself fall slightly in love."  If you are flirtatious you bring out the subjects 'fleeting desire' to be captured.  

"I think that people give you an image -

they give you part of themselves."

Heavily featured was his extensive and iconic catalogue of portraits.From Queen Elizabeth and Vivienne Westwood to Thom Yorke; the Olsen twins, each image divulges aspects of the individuals personality leaving it open to interpretation.  It is clear they were at ease, elements of fun coming through in each expression and every genuine image.

"I'm seduced by it,

but I believe that ultimately

it makes you feel unhappy with yourself. 

So I've always tried to be humorous with it,

and critical of it."

Rankin on 'Fashion'

Some of my personal highlights from the 19 sections...  These tend to be the ones that were the most conceptual, that made me wish I could come up with an idea as interesting to shoot.

• One Dress - Raising the question 'Do clothes make the wearer or does the wearer make the dress?'  The models were challenged to express the garment, every one offering a unique perspective.

Claudia Schiffer - One Dress

• Snog - Playing with the social perception of something you would usually avert your eyes from when in public.  Dare to look.
• SofaSoSexy - In this section there was a sofa to sit on and view the images on the wall.  The concept was for the viewer to realise that what they are sat on is the very sofa that the provocative images are taken on.  An element of discomfort is supposed to be created when you realise this... not sure it worked on me!  Interesting all the same.
• Breeding was an interesting section as it was confined to a dark UV lit room.  It examined how the tiniest detail can determine whether someone looks like a boy or a girl, or if someone is attractive.  It also stands to highlight how a lot of models are very similar and are herded like cattle into the industry.  All portraits were taken in a similar way to emphasise similarities and differences in characteristics and how models can be flaunted as a modifiable commodity.
• Beauty, liberating and timeless.  Fashion is fleeting and 'faddy' but beauty is a constant.  It displayed Rankin's fascination for the face and explained how clothes can be a "complicated and destructive factor."

I was really wowed by this exhibition, and it was interesting to learn about Rankin's conceptual and artistic work as opposed to the commercial aspect, which I am more familiar with.  I'd highly recommend checking it out if you are into photography!

"Develop Imagination, Throw Away Routine"

I finally managed to get down to Selfridges London last thursday! I have photographed nearly every window they have done over the past 18 months and this fascination led me to do my second year presentation on how stores such as Selfridges lure shoppers from "Pavement to Payment."  The centenary celebration not only created a reason for another set of fantastic and fanciful displays, but there was also the ground floor exhibition.  The celebrations captured how Selfridges stands apart from other retailers in terms of spirt and innovation, which is largely due to the beliefs of the founder - G.H Selfridge - "the showman of shopping".  Since the store opened 'to the world' in 1909 they have sought to entertain customers and to revolutionise shopping as a leisurely activity instead of a necessity.  As stated in the exhibition and clear to see from their current windows; Selfridges are always proud to present the unexpected with a dash of surrealism and dedicated design treatment.  I loved the use of lightboxes to demonstrate the window displays, they were absolutely gorgeous!! Below is one of my favourites from one of the earliest on display.  There were also displays that emphasised how revolutionary the windows were, with the cutting edge collaboration with David LaChappelle being just one of the thousands of theatrical, daring and unexpected showcases.

"Always do things better than they were ever done before."

I was really interested to learn the history behind the early advertising campaigns.  The stores opening was actually the largest campaign ever mounted in the British press and over 7 days the cost accumulated to the equivalent of £2.5million today.  Selfridge employed in house graphic designers, advertising directors and copy-writers to create this attractive set of posters.

 "The whole art of merchandising consists of appealing to the imagination."

Selfridges understood this and this is largely what shaped the store into an iconic brand.  The exhibition provided an informative background to Selfridges, explaining everything from the architecture to carrier bags used over the past 100 years.  It was delivered with impact and colour, and also featured a ten minute video of Selfridges through the years.

The store on Oxford Street has a powerful facade, designed to promote a dignified and user friendly experience.  This works together with the tantalising window displays to offer the luxury and soothing experience that Selfridges offer instore.

I took plenty of snaps for my archive of Selfridges windows, they were all very whimsical and futuristic, looking at fashions, and the A - Z of products for the year 2109 - that was interesting to see as there was a competition to design the letter X which I entered as something to do over the summer!  I will put that up on here when I get chance to update my blog, but for now I think I have done some serious essay writing and shall love and leave it! 

Liverpool Exhibitions: Cecil Beaton // Sound & Vision

CECIL BEATON

On display at The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool - is a retrospective exhibition of Beaton's portraits.  I was really keen to visit this as his work has inspired the likes of David Bailey, contributed to the history of British Vogue, and additionally has received wide recognition as a talent that captured images of glamour, elegance and style throughout many eras.  He was also a writer, artist, designer, illustrator, caricaturist, diarist and compiler of scrapbooks.

The exhibition was split into four sections:

• The Early Years: London to Hollywood, 1920s and 1930s
• The Years Between: The War and Post-War Arts, 1940s
• The Strenuous Years: Picturing the Arts, 1950s
• Partying and the Partying Years: Apotheosis and Retrospection, 1960s and 1970s

  

  
  

Portraits inc. Queen Elizabeth & Prince Charles, Marilyn Monroe and Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.

 There wasn't too much background information provided for each section or portrait which was a bit disapointing, but upon reflection it was a visual celebration of one of the most significant British born photographers of the 20th Century.  It was an enjoyable and vast collection that documented 50 years of fashion, art and celebrity.

Image: Audrey Hepburn, 1960.

Image: Queen Elizabeth & Prince Charles, 1950.

Image: Marilyn Monroe, 1956.

Image: Julie Andrews, 1959.

On the same day, I visited the National Conservation Centre and went to the Sound & Vision exhibition.  This was quite small, but worth a look!  It featured photographs by Francesco Mellina, that depict fashion/club scenes in Liverpool from 1978-82.  This acted as a good visual record of subcultures of the time, and how they arose as an escape from the reality of unemployment and economic decline.  

By belonging to a 'style tribe' whether it be a Punk, New Romantic, Rockabilly or Goth, a sense of purpose is born that notably sparks a creative focus in a bid to achieve an individual look.  Those who express themselves through their music and fashion tastes provide themselves with a vibrant antidote for their everyday existence.  

"People who work 9 to 5 then go out and live their fantasies.  They're glad to be dressed up and escaping work and all the greyness and depression."

Steve Strange.

For an exhibition that was on principle about escapism and being bold, this was a very black and white experience.  Understandably the photographs were taken in b/w which I absolutely love, but they were mounted on white and black walls; the music playing was dim.  I think it would have been visually more pleasing and thought provoking if they had injected the sense of styles depicted into the display.

It was interesting to combine the two exhibitions and the contrast in subjects.  Both document fashion, but at different ends of the spectrum.  Hollywood and royalty create a very different asthetic to that of a city in the midst of economic decline.  I find it really interesting to examine culture and how it determines 'style' and the individual.

Work Placement at McCann Erickson.

I just finished a week long placement at MECH.  It was insightful to see first hand how the creative team operates and I spent time sitting with Designers, Art Directors, Copy Writers, and the Motion graphics team (all of which were super friendly!)  I met a couple of people in the office who have graduated from D&AD MMU within the last few years and it was a great opportunity to ask loads of questions on how to get your book seen and get into the industry - as well as collecting a few contacts upon the way.

I had never heard of a Copy Writer before, but having seen how they work together with the Art Director and how the two roles overlap I think this could be a direction that I would love to follow in.  I love being creative with words and writing and it is another aspect of generating ideas and taking them further.  I feel like this will help me to tackle future briefs better, now that I understand the roles and the strategies that they use.  All I need now is a creative other half...

The only downside to this placement was that I wasn't given anything to do no matter how much I asked.  I was promised a live Durex brief at the start of the week, which didn't come in until my last day and the two women who were to brief me were out of office.  I was really looking forward to the opportunity to doing some work or showing my book and getting feedback.  The creative director apologised for this and asked me back for another week.  I have been told that I can go back anytime, and offered a portfolio crit so hopefully when I follow this up I will have more of a full on placement and be able to show them what I can do.

Big clients include Durex, Aldi, Scholl, UPS, Clarks, NHS....

       Scottsdale/Adidas:   A store famous for adidas in a city famous for rain.

Third year is getting closer...

Edge Lane, Liverpool.

On Monday I ventured into Liverpool - en route to the city centre we drove down Edge Lane.  Row upon row of derelict houses on both sides of the street have been boarded up and painted, featuring images of The Beatles, TATE Liverpool and Ricky Tomlinson.  This was a bid to 'tart up' not 'tin up' the derelict areas of the city, despite plans to knock them down to make way for a new, and wider main road into the city.  I quite liked the idea of the visual contrast, displaying the derelict with an injection of life.

Sourced:Flickr

Emporio Armani Fall/Winter Campaign 09.

A clipping from yesterdays paper, displaying Victoria Beckham's latest shoot for Armani. The brief article stands to highlight the relationship between fashion consumption (projected by advertisements and magazines) and body satisfaction in women. A change has been seen in the the way cigarettes and alcohol are promoted, and now in the ever ethical world we live in, this is becoming a key topic for scrutiny.

The campaign, which was photographed by world renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott is set to appear in fashion and lifestyle magazines and on signature billboards in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Rome, Paris and Tokyo. Their work is heavily shaped by digital manipulation, and they admit to caring a lot about appearance - spending lengthy time in hair, make-up and post production.

After my dissertation feedback session, and agreeing that my proposal (the modern fashion magazine as a vehicle for communication and consumption) was too open I think that this could be something that influences and ties in with the direction that I decide to take.