Gatorade

When I hear Gatorade, I think of neon sweat pouring out of say a sprinter as he strains to reach the finish line. But its not just sweating athletes that still reach for this sports drink, as Gatorade seems to be marketing to people involved in less intense health and fitness activities. Although it has maintained a consistent and memorable marketing message: that this drink is for high-performance athletes in need of exceptional hydration, recent products seem to be trying to broaden the customer appeal as they strive to implore lighter beverages that compete with water drinkers.

Aiming at athletes off the field or the yoga crowd, drinks such as G2 seem to be a better option than its full-bodied brother. With just 25 calories per 8 ounces vs. 50 for the original Gatorade. Or Propel which is being marketed as a mildly caffeinated water, and seen as a lower-calorie rival to energy drinks and as an enhanced alternative to plain water. Yet, still give athletes that kick they crave.

But of course they maintain their star power with professional athletes such as Tiger Woods who joins a stable of sports endorsers including the Yankees' Derek Jeter, NBA MVP Dwayne Wade, and the NFL's Peyton Manning. Among many other athletes such as, Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, Matt Kenseth, and Serena Williams.

Gatorade gives us exactly what we need to WIN! Right? So what’s up with the recent commercial broadcasted that seems to be some third-rate Monty Python spoof featuring Kevin Garnett in a suit of armor trying to pass a bridge guarded by the Jabawockeez? I don’t really see how Jabawockeez are cohesive with Gatorades marketing messages seeing as how they are not relevant other than the fact that they wear masks, won a dance show on MTV, and can pop AND lock. And why do they want the G when they already have it in their bota bags? It’s a mystery to me.

Another mystery, a few months back I noticed various ads on taxis and bus stops around Chicago that just said, “G.” I wondered to myself what this could be advertising for? Weeks later it seemed all the “G” ads had been replaced with “G’s” with their signature lightning bolt logo through it. Was this all a big marketing scheme to get observant people wondering, or did their first simple ad’s fail to get the message across?

As Gatorade seems to be trying to appeal of athletes of every kind, they seem to be mixing up their classic ads with new goofy, humorous, ones that may even perplex the viewer. And simplistic ads that are equally as puzzling.

Check it out for yourself at:
http://www.missiong.com/

http://videogum.com/archives/free-advertising/who-does-gatorade-think-it-is_050421.html

Our Electronic Extremities

Ever since the beginning of time humans have necessitated communication. From the very first signs of life we have used a subtle process of exchange, which has now been revolutionized to mass communication. Through the transmission of signals we developed the telephone, which enabled bidirectional human conversations over distances farther than a person could shout. And with this advancement began the latter era of the handheld cellular mobile phone, which we affectionately call, “the cell phone.”

Now by the twentieth century, cell phones are integrated into almost everyone’s lives. Yet, obviously in some third world countries, the cell phone may not be as prevalent, but it’s still known to exist. From grannies to toddlers, I think it’s highly uncommon to find someone who doesn’t have, or has never had a mobile phone. And I find when I’m trying to reach someone who doesn’t have a cell phone; it fills me with a terrible rage. We all find the need to be in contact at all times at the drop of a hat. This effortless accessibility seems to be a blessing as well as a curse.

Not only that, but cell phones have so many features, that its primary reason for existence (making phone calls) doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Take the latest G1 Google phone for instance, equipt with instant access to the Internet though the single tap of a finger on its touch sensitive screen. It even has a feature where it will identify a song for you by simply having it listen to a portion of the music in question. In our society a phone like this seems to give a person a heightened status. For they have the latest and greatest, the best of the best.

This phone seemingly attests to almost all the human senses, sight, sound, and touch, leaving out only taste and smell. Maybe that’s the reason why we can’t put these little devices down, because we find them so pleasurable to the senses. I don’t know about everyone else, but if I go a day without my phone I feel incomplete and inaccessible. To me my cell phone is like another appendage. An arm, a leg, a hand or perhaps a foot. Maybe someday the cell phone will be one with our bodies. Yet, at this moment in time they are made of atrocious material foreign to our bodies, such as different polymers and plastics, with various metals in the circuitry. Or even outer casings made of aluminum alloys.

I predict that someday we will “upgrade” cell phones to be made out of more organic material, making it as similar to the human body as possible so it will be impossible to be forgotten. It will be even more of a status symbol in our materialistic superficial society. The cell phone and plastic surgery will be one in the same.

Bob Ross is Boss

Bob Ross is best known as the host of the public television series 'The Joy of Painting', in which he creates a beautiful painting right before our eyes in a heart-warming half hour segment. Encouraging his viewers to follow along on their own, Bob instructs even the most novice hobby painters and proves that painting is not just for snobs or elitists. Using his wet-on-wet oil painting technique, he guides his viewers with his soft-spoken through a step-by-step process to create harmonious landscapes similar to his. Ever since I was a child I’ve been mesmerized by Ross’s masterful works, encouraging teaching skills, and quirky 80’s sayings, and still am to this day. I believe Bob Ross’s peaceful demeanor and appreciated for art and life is an example for all mankind to follow.

The program aired 1983-1995, and still appears as reruns in many broadcasted areas. As Bob Ross welcomes you to the show you are taken into a world where only you the viewer, Bob, and the canvas exist. Using his supplies and products he begins by brushing mere hues of color into the canvas, and within minutes you are transported to a calming landscape and state of mind that only Bob can convey. Although his painting instructions seem to result in his students creating works similar to his, I believe its only a launching pad, as Bob encourages you to lay down your “happy little trees” and “lil buggers” where ever you please. He repeatedly stated on the show his belief that everyone had inherent artistic talent and could become an accomplished artist given time, practice, and encouragement, and was often fond of saying, “We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy little accidents.” Bob Ross has built his fortune off his instructional videos, books, and painting sets and supplies, but donated his show to public television. I thoroughly enjoy watching the program even if I’m not painting along.

I find “The Joy of Painting” therapeutic, humorous, and highly entertaining and recommend adults and children of all ages to become regular viewers. So Join Bob Ross on Chicago’s Create channel that airs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. http://www.createtv.com/CreateProgram.nsf/vProgramsByNola/BJOY?OpenDocument&Index=
And Bob Ross products, merchandise, instructional videos and books can be found on: http://www.bobross.com

C33 Gallery- “If Artists Ran the Media”

This mixed media exhibit left me leaving with mixed feelings. The C33 Gallery of Columbia College Chicago is now running a collective show of artists’ responses to the American media and our bombarded society; which is always under attack of biased or slanted information presented to us by media outlets. Were constantly under the influence of advertisements, corporate, and politically altered views of our lives. So, the C33 Gallery asks, why not give artists a chance to proclaim their own perspectives?

The small gallery contained in 33 E. Congress displays a wide variety of artwork and medias. I found the inconsistency of the artworks’ mediums to be almost refreshing, yet I think the diversity of the pieces limited the intensity of the message trying to be conveyed. Some works seemed to have very direct messages, for instance the works of Spencer Ockwell. His pen and ink illustration entitled, “Just Do It,” conveyed a green communist monster barking orders at robots chaotically making Nike shoes and apparel for American consumers persuaded by slanted ads. I also found Nicole Huser’s recycled media diorama to be especially intriguing. Titled, “T.V.” it depicts an American family engulfed in consumerism around the table and is contained in the remnants of an old television set. Gluttony ensues as they stuff their cackling mouths with food as bits of advertisements and text peel off the walls and floor around them.

But the gallery was littered with artwork that although aesthetically pleasing, I found to somewhat dropped the ball when it came to the message behind the show. Eric Nowaki’s spray paint and acrylic piece, “Any Day Now,” depicted a forest lit up with various signage and semiotics in the trees. Although it had a peculiar atmospheric depth that I was drawn to, I found the idea of, “Any Day Now… the forest will be filled with neon signs,” to be somewhat lame and shallow. Not thought provoking or point driven, and merely skimming the surface. Same with another piece near the center of the room created by Katy Luxion entitled, “Make Me Pretty Sculpture.” Consisting of a woman’s bust cast out of plaster, it was cut down the sides and sewn up with pink ribbon. Which seemed to have a various open ended messages and was not congruent with the rest of the show.

Through painting, illustration, photography, video, and multimedia installation pieces this exhibit gives the artist and audience an opportunity to create their own perspectives in a world where the truth may be buried and laced with biased media outlets. The show runs till February 20, 2009 and C33 Gallery is open Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday 9am-5pm.

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I recently saw the film, "Les Triplettes de Belleville." Created in 2003, it's almost a completely silent film opens up a world of surreal french animation that you can't keep your mind off. I watched it almost a week ago and I still find myself dreaming about it. Each character has dimension despite the lack of dialog, but it doesn't need subtitles to tell the simple yet, intense story.

Its about an orphaned little french boy, whose gift of a tricycle gets him started off on an obsession with cycle-racing. His grandmother, Madame Souza, relentlessly trains him until he reaches the Tour de France. In the process of the race, he is kidnapped by a mysterious gang of crooks and taken across the Atlantic to a metropolis called Belleville. His grandma and his trusty and loveable dog Bruno race after him only to find themselves lost and confused in the darkness of an unknown city. The two end up falling in with the infamous Triplets of Belleville, whom in their hay-day were a large scale, close harmony act. But with age have grown bizzare and and batty. They slowly learn that their champion is being held up by the mafia godfather himself and will go to all lengths to get him back. I would recommend this film to anyone, especially those inflicted with a hangover.

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Purgatory Pizza: 3415 N. Clark St. Chicago IL

The name itself if off-putting. And I found the interior to be poorly designed with a tiny bar in the back corner or the restaurant, few tables, and an awkward amount of unused open space near the entrance. Creating a weird ambiance to eat a mediocre pizza. There are loosely painted red and orange flames on the wall extending to a light blue cloud painted ceiling. I feel like that's a really odd theme to create a dinning establishment with. And one of the most puzzling elements of the place is its slogan. "If you don't like our pizza.. you can go to hell!" Now is that really the way to draw customers in? I think this establishment needs to rethink their image and their pizzas.

http://www.purgatorychicago.com