Hello from another topic-based blog. Inspired by our Mysterious Munchkin, I'm trying to do more blogs centered on an actual subject rather than just a recap of my week. However, there are a couple of interesting highlights to bring up. First of all, yesterday was our new mini-holiday, the 26th, signifying exactly 10 months until our road trip (Lord willing). Also, as I write this, Jill is working on editing a video response that we made for Alex Day's 2012 YouTube survey. Hopefully that will be uploaded at some point this week. Anyway, on to the fun...
I was reading an essay by David Foster Wallace for my Creative Nonfiction Writing class recently, and I came across a passage in which he argued that advertisements could not be passed off as art. "An ad that pretends to be art is--at best--like somebody who smiles at you only because he wants something from you," says Wallace*.
Now here's the part where I disagree. I think Mr. Wallace's generalization is a bit hasty. I know I've seen plenty of ads that struck me as artistic, regardless of their motives. According to Google, the definition of 'art' is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture." I don't know why, but I expected it to be trickier than that. In classes I've been in before, the teacher is always like blahblahblahblahit'shardtodefinewhatartactuallyisblahblah... But trust Google to give it to you plain and simple. (By the way, happy birthday, Google. 14 years old today.)
Anyway, according to that definition, it doesn't matter what the intent of the piece is, as long it is creative expression. I don't know about you, but when I see an artistic advertisement, I'm relieved--not insulted--that not all commercials look like Insight Cable. You know what I mean?
Granted, Wallace was talking more about an essay he read that was really just a sell-out endorsement of a cruise line. But if it's well-written and entertaining, does it really matter that it's trying to get you to spend your money on a luxury cruise?
Here are some examples of ads that I consider artistic, regardless of intent:
1. These billboards/signs. http://designyoutrust.com/2011/11/creative-billboard-advertisements-of-2011/ I especially like the one at the beach, although I'm not sure what it's advertising. Also, the Denver Water billboard is not only advertising a company and looking pretty, it is also making a statement about living within your means.
2. The Coke ad that restores your faith in humanity. I'm sure you've all seen it. But really, do you think this is just "smiling at you because it wants something?" I think it's doing something a bit more noble than that.
I was reading an essay by David Foster Wallace for my Creative Nonfiction Writing class recently, and I came across a passage in which he argued that advertisements could not be passed off as art. "An ad that pretends to be art is--at best--like somebody who smiles at you only because he wants something from you," says Wallace*.
Now here's the part where I disagree. I think Mr. Wallace's generalization is a bit hasty. I know I've seen plenty of ads that struck me as artistic, regardless of their motives. According to Google, the definition of 'art' is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture." I don't know why, but I expected it to be trickier than that. In classes I've been in before, the teacher is always like blahblahblahblahit'shardtodefinewhatartactuallyisblahblah... But trust Google to give it to you plain and simple. (By the way, happy birthday, Google. 14 years old today.)
Anyway, according to that definition, it doesn't matter what the intent of the piece is, as long it is creative expression. I don't know about you, but when I see an artistic advertisement, I'm relieved--not insulted--that not all commercials look like Insight Cable. You know what I mean?
Granted, Wallace was talking more about an essay he read that was really just a sell-out endorsement of a cruise line. But if it's well-written and entertaining, does it really matter that it's trying to get you to spend your money on a luxury cruise?
Here are some examples of ads that I consider artistic, regardless of intent:
1. These billboards/signs. http://designyoutrust.com/2011/11/creative-billboard-advertisements-of-2011/ I especially like the one at the beach, although I'm not sure what it's advertising. Also, the Denver Water billboard is not only advertising a company and looking pretty, it is also making a statement about living within your means.
2. The Coke ad that restores your faith in humanity. I'm sure you've all seen it. But really, do you think this is just "smiling at you because it wants something?" I think it's doing something a bit more noble than that.
2. Friskies "Adventureland" Commercial. Not as deep, but really pretty. When I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 in 3D, this cat food commercial that aired before the movie was literally the best part of the 3D experience. Hands down. No contest. And you've got to admit, this is a really imaginative ad for cat chow.
4. Move/Eat/Learn videos for STA Travel. You probably already know that these videos are the most fantastical things I've ever seen and that I'm obsessed with them. You probably are, too. They are excellent ads. They do their job of making me want to see the world, but they're also a gorgeous celebration of the everythingness of the world. And that brings to mind another example of ads as art: 5. The Discovery Channel "Boomdeyada" commercial...Because "the world is just awesome!" Enjoy.
And then, if you want to blur the lines of art and advertisement even more, what about movie posters? Are they part of the art? Are they mere marketing? Well...I think you know what my answer would be to that one.
Anyway, the point of this post isn't to slam down David Foster Wallace's point, by any means. There are circumstances in which people are just sell-outs. But there are also circumstances in which a one-minute commercial can be more artistic than a two-hour movie. It's all just a matter of how you look at things.
So what do you guys think? Can advertisements be considered art? What are some of your favorite artistic ads? How do you define art, and does it even matter? Let me know in the comments!
Love,
Anna Beth
*"Shipping Out," Harper's Magazine, January 1996, p. 43
Anyway, the point of this post isn't to slam down David Foster Wallace's point, by any means. There are circumstances in which people are just sell-outs. But there are also circumstances in which a one-minute commercial can be more artistic than a two-hour movie. It's all just a matter of how you look at things.
So what do you guys think? Can advertisements be considered art? What are some of your favorite artistic ads? How do you define art, and does it even matter? Let me know in the comments!
Love,
Anna Beth
*"Shipping Out," Harper's Magazine, January 1996, p. 43
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