Volvo got their art on

Inside this epic Zurich train station building for the last few days was an art orgy for a select number of street artists. C-Line, Blackyard, DAIM, Nevercrew, Pius Portmann, Suki Bamboo, Yummy Industries, Lowrider, Donovan & Onur and Wes21 each had a half a day to stamp their mark. Each day as commuters and tourists walked by the car was painted and repainted. Props to Volvo for setting up the exhibition. Below are a few examples thus far.



Ripped from here.

Volvo got their art on

is this what i think it is?

It is.

more info here --> puregraffiti

is this what i think it is?

the galaxy is not safe

Great execution by the Improv Everywhere guys once again. Big fan.

the galaxy is not safe

banksy on the big screen

REALLY looking forward to this puppy.

banksy on the big screen

where's rob?

Well done Improv Everywhere.

where's rob?

RE: reclaimed for art

This is a follow up to the reclaimed for art post that went up last week. Barbara Celis produced the above film to cover the event. It shows some of the work as well as some good points from local members of the community.

be sure to check out more work at Flickr.

RE: reclaimed for art

reclaimed for art

Something monumental happened this weekend in NYC. A group of people demanded their public space back and they did it with remarkable artistic success. Pissed off and turned off by the force fed obtrusive nature of advertisements in the neighborhood, a group organized by Jordan Seiler took over 120 billboards. The program aptly named "New York Street Advertising Takeover" was 4 months of coordination. All the billboards were white washed by dozens of volunteers wearing orange vests on Saturday the 25th.


Followed by 40-80 artists (who will be named later...hard to tell who all was involved at this point) who transformed the once ad space into pieces of extraordinary art.




This guerrilla-style transformation was illegal per se, but was in retaliation of illegal activity by the actual advertisements themselves. You see, billboards have to be registered with the city. The owner of these billboards, NPA Outdoor, has over 500 street level billboards in the city, 132 which are illegal (or not registered with New York City). Although illegal, they are rarely prosecuted allowing them to dominate our public neighborhood and collect big time profits at the same time.

Obviously a well coordinated effort between Jordan, the volunteers and the artists. Most likely done in conjunction with or the knowledge of Municipal Landscape Control Committee of New York City because they were able to pinpoint exact billboards that were illegal. Many activists have been in contact with NYC Department of Buildings in regards to the invasion of advertisements by NPA Outdoor.


Many of the pieces I have seen thus far contained messages of pro art, self choice and anti-consumerism.


Stay tuned for actual artist participation and more pieces of work.

Pics taken from here and here and here.

reclaimed for art

ideas and art for the man

Psychogeography: is the "emotional effect" of the "geographic environment."


Detournement: involves “re-appropriating” art, media, even ideas; it repurposes and transforms cultural objects and messages.

as a strong proponent of street art, my thoughts are best emphasized by John Hargrave's comments in the movie: "During the day I have a respectable day job at a local ad agency and by night I am seeking to undermine the very system I am building during the day. I am fighting against the man at the same time I am the man."

to watch full movie click here.

ideas and art for the man

pop pop poppy pop poppers

Vitamin Water is making moves with their new popup store near SoHo. If you remember the old Helio joint where you couldn't walk by without getting harassed about taking a free phone - right above Houston on Broadway. Store opens this Friday so I will add some original pics to the blog with what its all about. Could be a cool neato thing to examine if they create something more attractive and engaging than just shelves of their bottles (not that the bottles aren't absolutely gorgeous).
bitten here.

pop pop poppy pop poppers

our creativity does more than sell products?

when i think about what i do ::: i don't care about how much money i make ::: i care if iwas able to create some worthwhile.

i (we) work in a powerful industry of bringing change and creating utility and providing social enrichment. i don't want to get all heady and emotional on this piece, but we (advertising professionals) can bestow beautiful impactful and beneficial experiences for others...my wall st. neighbors can't really say that.

beyond the large corporations we do great work for is a satisfaction that is awesome.

seeing the work done by agency 141 Sercon for Aseema Charitable Trust struck me pretty hard. Aseema is an organization that helps provide education to Mumbai children who live in the street and extremely underprivileged. Their mission statement is "To provide underprivileged children with a nurturing and stimulating educational environment that helps them recognize their limitless potential." In Indian culture if you are really poor it is unlikely you will have an opportunity for education. Aseema mostly focuses on children who have no chance of formal education. Please check out their philosophy and approach which explains much more.

So tasked as an agency how do illustrate this campaign messaging, philosophy, and approach? Aseema and agency brought education to the children's stomping grounds which also happened to be the perfect venue for a highly visible promotion of the organization's message to the general public.

The manhole as an ancient instrument of mathematical calculation is simply brilliant//



ARTiFACT will be donating $500.00 (remember i don't make any money, i work in advertising) to the Aseema Charitable Trust.

our creativity does more than sell products?

resident evil 5 promotion

here are some shots from the latest guerrilla campaign promoting Resident Evil 5. i wonder if this would ever fly in the states?

resident evil 5 promotion

a look at shepard fairey

A quick look at Shepard Fairey, his history, approach, and philosophy. A personal favorite of mine since first exposed during my skateboarding days in junior high.

a look at shepard fairey

yay slides!

Done by advertising agency STIR in Milwaukee by creative director Steve Koeneke; art directors Sarah McAfee & Brian Steinseifer; copywriters Scott Shalles and Jim Jodie.

graffiti driven ad titled "A clean river is a fun river" was beautifully done to capture buzz and bang home an important point: look at that crazy shit flying into the river dammit! Obviously done without city approval will hopefully create change among officials. great work Midwesterners...you make us proud.

yay slides!