February 05, 2005
I was an extra in a car ad
Went with David Nunez to a travelling exhibition of "urban art"; paintings on 3' x 8' panels that draw on genres of subway car graffiti, comic books and 70s album covers, with a live painter and dj. The art was mostly from LA and New York, with smatterings of Chicago and San Francisco. Interesting, the LA art was more pop:
The New York art drew more on classic graffiti style:
The show was a third art, a third party, and a third reality tv commercial. The travelling show is put together by "The Rebel Organization, Inc... an 'off-line' viral marketing and promotion company that specializes in connecting brands to the progressive youth culture. "
There were several people in black clothing with fancy-looking cameras and sound gear, presumably making the video. Austin's clusters of designers, art school kids, theater marketing folk, and art party scenesters did their best to provide authentic artsy-looking ad footage.
You can't complain too loudly about corporate sponsorship. Michelangelo had some really good gigs advertising the Catholic Church. Subcultures are all part-community, part scene. On the other hand, it's kind of odd being a prop to advertise a car that's being sold to wannabe hipsters.
Posted by alevin at February 5, 2005 10:03 PM | TrackBack