Chocolate and Temptations

Nine out of ten people loves chocolate and the tenth one always lies.

My oh my!!! What do they have in this  chocolate (or is it ice-cream?)

............................................................................................................

Virgin Mary examines a pregnancy testing kit (gasps)!

     "Awesome WTF Art Historical-esque ad!" A New Zealand church unveiled what some are calling a highly controversial billboard showing the Virgin Mary holding a positive pregnancy test.
     Defending the poster, the vicar, the Rev Glynn Cardy, said: "Although the make-believe of Christmas is enjoyable, with tinsel, Santa, reindeer and carols, there are also some realities. It’s about a real pregnancy, a real mother and a real child. It’s about real anxiety, courage and hope. Mary was unmarried, young and poor. She was certainly not the first woman in this situation or the last." One of the suggested captions reads, "If I say I'm a virgin, mum and dad won't kill me." Classic Renaissance painting ♥.

..................................................................................................................................

Delicious "United Colors of Benetton" once again. Jesus and The Last Supper.

     Benetton, please feature me in one of your print ads. ♥ I've always been in love with Benetton's provocative print ads. Some might argue Benetton is trying to attract the consumers by provocation rather than inspiration but to me Benetton campaign is art / social commentary, and not so much of an advertising. To some this might invite interest, particularly amongst social commentators and advertising aficionados, but I think that the shopping majority (and it is a mass market brand) will be confused by the aims of this campaign or potentially confronted by it. Challenge and irreverence has a place in advertising, but it needs to be relevant and motivating to the brand and sadly Benetton adverts are so irrelevant to its products. I've already posted some pics related to "Unhate-campaign" of Benetton. Here are two of my other favorites.

"The Last Supper." Can't have a religious icon without Benetton butting in.

There were a number of ads featuring HIV in one way or another, such as the famous photo of dying AIDS activist David Kirby taken in his hospital room in the in May 1990, with his father, sister and niece at his bedside. The photograph by Therese Frare, went on to win the 1991 World Press Photo Award, but whether or not this harrowing picture was an appropriate advertising image was widely debated. Some suggested it was more exploitative than supportive with AIDS activists saying that its use in advertising portrayed AIDS in a negative light, spreading fear rather than acceptance. The implied connection between the deaths of David Kirby and Jesus provoked outrage in many markets.

............................................................................................................

*The United Colors of Benetton*

     Very aptly named - The United Colors of Benetton - does it again. The new ad campaign from Italian clothing company United Colors of Benetton called “Unhate" is nothing but controversial. At first, the images are shocking. President Obama planting a kiss on Chinese President Hu Jintao’s lips. German Chancellor Angela Merkel smooches French President Nicolas Sarkozy, her nation’s economic rival.  The images are digitally manipulated but they send a pointed message. The newly unveiled UNHATE Foundation seeks to promote a culture of tolerance and combat hatred around the world (quite obviously not  the latest political scandal).  Already a source of controversy - the images to me sends a direct message - UNHATE. The company is known for its striking, and often controversial, ads. Past ads have shown a priest kissing a nun, a white baby breast-feeding from a black woman and three human hearts with the words “white,” “black” and “yellow” printed over them.

     I've always been a big fan of Benetton ad campaigns. In the world where there are discrimination's based on color, race, sexuality (legally and in personal level), the company promotes all colors, races, sexuality pointedly and with flair.  It doesn't follow rules, as most of us would.  Gays, Black, White, Yellow, Oriental, Aryans, Caucasians, Negros, Hispanics... all have a place in their ads and hence called The United Colors of Benetton instead of The Colors of Benetton. Big shoutout to UNHATE.

...................................................................................................................................