video continues in part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTuML1SJW3w&feature=channel
Influence
'OBEY' influences people to think about the symbol and it's purpose. The Artist's objective with the campaign is to provoke alternative thoughts and perspectives instead of submitting to society's norm way of thinking. It also influences some people to expand on the campaign by either telling more people about it or creating their own Art work on the streets. The influence of actively contributing only provokes people that agree with the group's outlook on the media and society.
Regulation and Media Policy
The morals of the 'OBEY' campaign conflict with the policies of the law. Graffiti is illegal in our society, unless regulated in certain areas, yet most well known street Artists choose to disobey the law. Ironically Shepard Fairey's 'OBEY' symbol illustrates the point of view that most of us passively obey the law. Another point that should be raised is that Media Advertising has become a norm in our lives. For example, billboards and posters that visually draw our attention. This form of Media has become socially acceptable... but why?
Created by 'Banksy' - celebrating the blankness of the billboard
Supporting Independent and Participatory Media
As mentioned before, the campaign influences people to promote 'OBEY' and get involved with the subject. It shows that independent activists, such as these, can become popular through public interest and social interaction. This form of activism is a direct link to the public's attention; in the same way public advising is. This is another reason for the success of the campaign.
Change!
An activist's objective is to change certain aspects of our society and Shepard Fairey's 'Obey' succeeds in this. Fairey's approach is targeting people's acceptance with the advertisement industry, our society and the law we abide by. He does this by parodying the industry and boldly outlining the negative sides. If the audience understands the concept then the change becomes apparent.
As mentioned before, the campaign influences people to promote 'OBEY' and get involved with the subject. It shows that independent activists, such as these, can become popular through public interest and social interaction. This form of activism is a direct link to the public's attention; in the same way public advising is. This is another reason for the success of the campaign.
Change!
An activist's objective is to change certain aspects of our society and Shepard Fairey's 'Obey' succeeds in this. Fairey's approach is targeting people's acceptance with the advertisement industry, our society and the law we abide by. He does this by parodying the industry and boldly outlining the negative sides. If the audience understands the concept then the change becomes apparent.
The Ideologies that advertising has installed, expects us to expect the norm when it come to advertising, however using and image or form of media that retaliates against the norm such as Graffiti creates speculation as to the author's intentions.
ReplyDeleteAnother activist group that is very similar to this subject is 'The Bus Campaign': (http://www.humanism.org.uk/bus-campaign). They use bus advertising as a way to spread a message. Unlike most advertising, it influences thought instead of promoting a product. The message reads: "THERE'S PROBABLY NO GOD. NOW STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE."
ReplyDeleteThe case-study here for me blurs the line between advertising and graffiti. The regulation of advertising has to be adopted within the new media world as more and more companies are using methods such as viral video to promote there content.
ReplyDelete