Culture Jamming is something that I've noticed but never dwelled on as a concept. I visited New York a number of years ago and was instantly aware of the insane driving and incessant honking. Because of this, signs were posted telling the public to "Honk Only if Danger." One day, I walked by one of these signs and the "D" had been scratched out, changing it to read: Honk Only if anger. I found this to be hilarious and awesome, but did not think of "culture jamming." Similarly, whenever I see stop signs that have been changed to say "STOP WAR" and the likes, I immediately get the undeniable urge to do something like that.... something that I now know as "culture jamming." It's fantastic; it has the ability to open eyes, and force people to think twice... and allows for a public statement standing by anything that someone feels so strongly about to voice in the most wonderful and thought-provoking ways. It's creative vandalism that makes you think. If you notice it.
Unfortunately, a large percent of our population does not notice it. Or isn't affected by it. As Marc Dery discusses in his article, media is brainwashing. Everyone is hooked to their television... the device that tells them only what they want to hear and shows them only what they want to see. So there's no room for extra thought... there's no space for questioning. It's pointless and meaningless... until culture jammers come spice it up.
The Yes Men:
http://theyesmen.org/hijinks/plattsburgh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK9Cs_UcTEE
Logos over time...
Columbia Pictures: The Columbia Lady
MGM Studios: MGM Lion
more culture jamming...
this one just looks cool
No comments:
Post a Comment