Nothing wake you up as Nescafe

Advertising Agency: McCann Erickson, Chile
Creative Director: Rene Moraga

A striking print advert launched by Nescafe.
The advert uses Z's to suggest sleep, these then straghten to form an N and spell nescafe. Thus emphasising the human need for coffee first thing in the morning, and that nothing will wake you up better then Nescafe.
Simple and clear, the advert reads 'Nothing wakes you up as Nescafe'.

Something That I'll Never Really See

An exhibition held at the University of East Anglia, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts featuring some of the most innovative works acquired from the V&A collection of contemporary photography during the last ten years.

The exhibition comprises of 44 images showing a broad range of styles by both internationally well-known names and emerging talents. It covers a period during which photography has taken centre stage in the world of contemporary art.

"What I perceive through my eyes cannot be the same as what is registered in the camera. In this way - though it sounds paradoxical - photographs give me the chance to observe something that I'll never really see" (Martin Barnes, Senior Curator, Photographs V&A Museum)

VIK MUNIZ - 'ACTION PHOTO (AFTER HANS NAMUTH)'


Vik Muniz takes well known images that have become familiar through reproductions and recreates them from memory, using household materials such as sugar, chocolate and tread. He then makes a photographic record of his drawing. 'In Action Photo (Black and White)' we see an image of the painter Jackson Pollock recreated in chocolate syrup, the sticky sauce echoing the characteristic drips of paint in Pollock’s work.

DAVID HOCKNEY - 'PHOTOGRAPHY IS DEAD, LONG LIVE PAINTING' (1995)


David Hockney has often used photography along side drawing and painting to question the nature of perception. In 'Photography Is Dead, Long Live Painting' Hockney playfully examines the illusion and traditions of painting and photography side by side. Undoubtedly referencing van Gogh, a 'real' vase of sunflowers sits next to a painted version, which is arranged to appear in the correct perspective for the camera. Painting the photo on watercolour paper provides a further twist.

Watching Paint Dry

Nedko Solakov is one of the most important Bulgarian artists working today. A particular goal of Solakov’s work is to play with the viewer's expectations.

The Norwich Art Gallery hosted an installation of Solakovs work entitled 'A Life (Black and White)'. "This is the first solo exhibition by the renowned Bulgarian artist" (Steve Bell, Guardian Guide). The work consisted of two workers constantly repainting the walls of the exhibition space, one in black and one in white. The painters got a ten minute fag, beer or boredom break every half hour and a half hour lunch break. At any time it was strictly stated that the gallery must be half white and half black with one worker perpetually erasing the others labour.

Eternal repetition is present in the circular process of the accumulation of layers. The endless movement could be associated with the flow of existence and arouses diverse associations in the mind of the viewer. A plain, unattractive, staged exhibition space is presented instead of an aesthetically pleasing one, forcing the viewer to abandon areas of comfort and search for new meanings

Solakov does not paint the walls himself instead he leaves very clear instructions which are conducted as precisely and meticulously as possible. Solakov documents the piece by retaining both sets of overalls and signs used by the workers. This is the only record of the performance.

The work was first presented at the 2001 Venice Biennial, a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice. For the full five months, day after day the worker repainted the walls.

In a review of the Venice Biennial Fred Hammerquist wrote that "viewers were clearly confused by what appeared to be an installation in progress, but for those who took the time to read the explanatory wall text, this piece was a biting commentary ... Solakov's instructions do not result in a finished aesthetic product, but rather references the futility of both art and humankind."

Is this art or are we just watching paint dry?