If Looks Could Kill - Graphic Art & Design

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana pulled this ad under pressure from protests in Spain, and it even hit them where they live, in Italy.

The main issues seem to arise in the female model’s hands being pinned and her lowered lids, eyes hidden beneath either lashes or closed lids. The implications of powerlessness and unconsciousness seem to be the main source of contention, but if you look at her raised hips and arched back, it would suggest that she is digging the scene.

Some people do fantasize about this, as the designers say - it was intended to depict an “erotic dream,” a “sexual game.” The men do look particularly creepy and lecherous, but I think it was intended to be a fantasy of willing and wanting submission.

In Italy, the image first came out Feb. 5, in the most famous and bestselling [Italian] newspaper … at that time, there was no reaction. The effects did not arrive in Italy until after the poor Spanish reaction [to] the ad. We understand that in Spain there is a truly important social emergency as far as violence against women [is concerned], which is why we did not want to offend anyone, so we immediately withdrew the image from all Spanish press.
- STEFANO GABBANA

Here is a website containing this and other ads that are supposed to be offensive to women. Me? I don’t buy any of this stuff, so I don’t give a shit. I’m not their target audience. Even if I were, I could care less. Got your attention, didn’t it? Advertising mission accomplished, massive publicity for them ensues.

Additionally, I am an avid supporter of FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION and If you don’t like it, put your money where your mouth is and don’t buy their product! That’s the best way to send a message, with your hard-earned dollars. Shouldn’t be too difficult to refrain, considering their prices, over-inflated by the imagined prestige of a brand label in the pretentious court of public opinion.

Otherwise, I believe that there are far more pressing issues in life other than an advertising campaign. Go find something PRODUCTIVE to do!

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An interesting aside, is that Dolce & Gabbana work directly with their art directors and photographers to execute their campaigns, rather than an agency. This makes their advertising more personally aligned with their own unique vision and differentiates them from many, who outsource their creative work to established agencies who crank out a concept. I’ll bet this is a major factor in their success, not having committees or executive boards to syphon out creativity.

I’m a sucker for anything with Samuel L. Jackson in it, and this afternoon I paid dearly for it. Not to mention, Christina Ricci with a 40lb chain slung ’round her hips. As you can see from the movie poster, it looks quite pulpy and tantalizing.

It is a lurid and voyeuristic journey into the scuzzy underbelly of po’dunk living, the abuse that goes on, the cycles that perpetuate.

Somehow, after a lifetime of trauma, Rae has has a breakthrough after being chained up by Lazarus for a coupla days. A cheesy little number ensues, “I’m gonna let it shine,” performed by Ricci.

I’ve read reviews, implying that the marketing was disastrous, and that anyone looking for the steamy pic the poster suggests will be sorely disappointed. However, they went on to imply that the meaning would be “too heavy” for anyone seeing it based on it’s pulpy representation. To that I say, “fuck you,” because really, I think the fare was too fucking light - cavalier in its portrayal of abuse/trauma victims and their recovery.

But on the lighter side, it really was NOT sexual enough, the ads, trailers and movie posters are grossly mispresentative. It is quite the showcase for Christina Ricci’s beautiful physique as she fights, flails and writhes, all while scantily clad.

Overall, an awkwardly-paced movie that drags out for two hours and trivializes serious issues without even the redemption of being glorious violent pulp. I blame the director, editor and the advertising for misleading.

Great acting, just poor execution overall. Also, God-Shmooking abound in this movie but I was too irritated by other points to be annoyed by it. That says something.

Personally, I think this looks like shit, but I think that people should be allowed to do whatever to THEIR cars. They paid for their own cars, not the government, nor the ninnies offended by fake dangling gonads that hardly even look like nutsacks out of context.

To me, it further solidifies the fact that some men try to compensate for other areas where they are lacking through their vehicles. The ball-danglers are just clarifying their specific issues for anyone who was was uncertain.

Oh, and being as antagonistic as I am, please note the carefully manipulated name of the car shown. >;) I ♥ Photoshop.

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(Balls)

In Celebration of Naked Lady Mudflaps’ Victory over Idiots Trying to Outlaw Them Can you believe that Ed Ableser from Tempe actually raised this as an amendment to be tacked onto an Arizona state bill regarding truck splash guard requirements? Another Democratic Rep, perhaps plagued by her own insecurities, Theresa Ulmer of Yuma supported this foolishness. “I personally am tired of explaining to my 11-year-old son why they (women) are depicted on mudflaps , but not all women are 36Ds. He’s very confused by that,” Ulmer said. Lady, you have more serious issues if you feel compelled to explain all of this due to your son witnessing a a flattering silhouette of the female form. For all we know, she’s clothed, albeit snugly and form-fitting. Secondly, do you live in the land of D-cups? How does your son NOT know that women come in all shapes and sizes? This should be visably apparent. Celebrate Free Speech and pimp out your space by DOWNLOADING (not hotlinking) these 100×100 or 50×50 pixel Icons . Linkbacks/shoutouts are most appreciated. >;) Click on Gallery » Design to view the full-sized image, all done in Illustrator and edited in Photoshop CS2. As always, you may keep up with my antics here.

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I have such high hopes for this movie. Reviews so far are as follows:

4 out of 5 Bloody Meat Cleavers at Dread Central
4.3 out of 10 (or 26% Rotten) at Rotten Tomatoes (Whatever this means, I do not get their rating system at all.)

Otherwise, it would appear the movie was not released for screening, not uncommon for the horror genre that critics love to poop on!

I like that this prequel focuses on the making of the monster, for they all have their own story and motivations. Details on the plot and a pretty picture here.

Plan on this:

I occasionally swap my images around to prevent the gang of Lichtenstein hotlinkers who display images from my server on their MySpace profiles.

While I enjoy Lichtenstein’s work, I still question his ethics, since he took his images directly from retro comics. How appropriate that many of his fans are secondhanders as well, leeching off of my server’s bandwidth. >;)

Dear Image Surfers,
SAVE IMAGES TO YOUR OWN SERVER, LINK BACK - OTHERWISE, PREPARE FOR PUBLIC HUMILIATION!
Love,
Amy