He Who Controls the Frame Controls the Context

For Freedoms with Hank Willis Thomas. Photo by Luna Park.

This week, we tried something a bit different. We partnered with For Freedoms, an artist-run super PAC using "art to inspire deeper political engagement for citizens who want to have a greater impact on the American political landscape," and installed one of their campaigns designed by Hank Willis Thomas (one of For Freedoms' co-founders).

Hank's is one of the most visually-striking works we've installed so far, which should come as no surprise. Hank is a master manipulator of visual messages, in a good way. He researches, absorbs, and reinterprets, often using advertising as his starting point. So he was one of the first people we thought to invite for Art in Ad Places.

In very literal way, Art in Ad Places is about framing. Hank speaks a bit about how that's at the center of his own work in this recent video with the Ford Foundation:

"The role of the artist in society is to highlight the things we'd rather ignore." -
v @hankwthomas #InequalityIs pic.twitter.com/2TVf3eWj5T

— Ford Foundation (@FordFoundation) August 26, 2017

"Whoever is holding the frame gets to create the context." Hank is speaking about addressing structural inequality, but he could just as easily be speaking about how we utilize public space, particularly spaces used for outdoor advertising. In New York City, Intersection holds the literal frames on most pay phones, and they tell the public that those frames must be used for advertising. As a result, our baseline is that we think of those frames as places for advertising. But what if they weren't? What if we held the frame? What if we controlled the context? Hank told us, "I participated in Art in Ad Places because ads are in art places."

Touché Hank, touché. Change the frame. Change the context. And remember, if you want to hold the frame, visit our Take Action page for all the tips and tools you'll need for your own ad takeover.

For Freedoms with Hank Willis Thomas. Photo by Luna Park.

Dogs!

Artwork by Andrea Sonnenberg. Photo by Luna Park.

This is a strange week to be sharing such a euphoric image. We had hoped to install Andrea Sonnenberg's photo of a dog and a person high-fiving as a sort of celebration of summer. But this is no week to celebrate. So, instead, we offer this piece as a brief distraction and re-energizing force after a heavy few days. A chance to step back, smile, and recharge before we go back to the street to defend ourselves.

Usually, when we install a piece, we take a few quick photos and bounce before anyone even notices us, much less the poster we've installed. But with this piece, something cool happened: A man on his bike stopped in his tracks and stared at the piece for a good minute. That's more time than most people give to a painting at The Met. We didn't speak to the guy, so we don't know what he was thinking, but it was clear that he realized this was something out of the ordinary, something exciting. Then he got back on his bike and rode away.

Andrea says, "In a world absolutely suffocated with advertisements, I think the message of Art in Ad Places is crucially important. If I could distract or inspire people from the norm of their consumer-driven lives, even for just a fleeting moment, I think it makes a difference."

Dunno about you, but we needed one moment of pure kindness and joy this week. Andrea's work delivered. Now, let's recharge and fight some damn Nazis.

Artwork by Andrea Sonnenberg. Photo by Luna Park.

Our First Example of Détournement

Artwork by Grace Miceli. Photo by Luna Park.

It's sort of surprising to us that while we've done over 30 ad takeovers this year, Grace Miceli's poster is our first example of traditional détournement, often a staple of ad takeovers. You'd just think we would have included more of them. And, admittedly, there's at least one more coming up, but two still seems light. Hopefully, that means we've been successful in putting together a varied line up of artists, with even more varied fan bases, for whom ad takeovers are not an everyday thought.

Miceli says, "This piece is about all of the things that make my brain feel good when I see them. I’m interested in co-opting the imagery of products we consume and using them to connect with you."

That kindness and desire for connection is missing in so much traditional détournement. It's inspiring to see Miceli use this protest tool for parody and human connection rather than parody and rage (as important as rage can be). We hope you'll find this piece, appreciate that life can sometimes be bleak, and smile because at least we all know it.

Artwork by Grace Miceli. Photo by Luna Park.

Prescience and Positivity

Hope and Promise by Jamel Shabazz. Photo by Luna Park.

It was almost a year ago that we reached out to Jamel Shabazz about participating in Art in Ad Places. At first, he suggested a really beautiful shot of a women chilling in Williamsburg sometime maybe in the early 2000's. That photo was pure cool. And we were down to install it. But then Jamel changed his mind. He asked if he could submit a different photo instead.

Jamel says, "As an artist, it is my responsibility to use my gift to create images that provoke thought and inspire positive change. I accepted the invitation to participate in Art in Ad Places, due to the ever growing divide and escalation of hate crimes in this country. The image I selected represents the innocence of children in a world full of uncertainty. It is my hope that this photograph will inspire tolerance, empathy, and compassion."

Jamel sent "Hope and Promise" to us in September 2016. It took us a while to get the piece installed (that's another story), but it almost goes without saying that it's as relevant today as it was a year ago. As always, we're happy to put some good vibes into the world, and honored to work with such a legendary, thoughtful, and prescient artist.

Hope and Promise by Jamel Shabazz. Photo by Luna Park.

When Do You Think?

Blue Lady by Parker Day. Photo by Luna Park.

For our 30th ad takeover in this series, we have Parker Day, the LA-based photographer whose ICONS series really caught our eye for its mix of beauty with the absurd. The ICONS photos are about identity, and how we shape our identities, but how much control do we really have and how much is determined by the images and ideas fed to us by advertising?

Parker says, "Ads tell you what to think; art inspires you to think for yourself. Art in Ad Places is helping shift the paradigm of imagery in the public space. I hope my work Blue Lady surprises and delights people who wouldn't otherwise find my work."

Maybe take a moment this week to consider when you actually think versus when you just go along with decisions that have been pushed on you (often by advertising). If that ratio seems a bit out of whack, we suggest filling your life with more art, and (as much as possible) fewer ads.

Blue Lady by Parker Day. Photo by Luna Park.