Levis... Go Forth

Levi's Jeans Co. is trying to strike up a new tone with their new Walt Whitman inspired campaign. Using ideas and phrases from his poems the campaign tries, very successfully I'll add, to convey a sense of freedom and the "American Way". Here are a few of the prints by Ryan McGinlay.





P.S. While this post isn't titled "Is It Art?" it falls into the category, as some will disregard the merit of the photos because of a logo. What do you think?

Walt Whitman and his Levi's

Levi's Jeans has one of the best campaigns I've ever seen. I'll be bringing you some of the videos and promotional pictures over the next few days. Levi's, a most American of jean companies choose Walt Whitman, one of America's greatest poets to center their campaign around. The moving black and white footage covering many different parts of America from corporate America to shanty-towns and natural spaces. The result is a powerful, fun, poignant and artful commercial or 60 second piece of art.



the portion of Walt Whitman's "America" used
America
Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,
All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old,
Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,
Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,
A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,
Chair’d in the adamant of Time.

Levi's America (Go Forth) commercial directed by Cary Fukunaga for Wieden+Kennedy, Portland using poem by Walt Whitman. The prints were photographed by Ryan McGinley.

P.S. While this post isn't titled "Is It Art?" it falls into the category, as people don't usually think of commercials as art. What do you think

How Music And Fashion Come Together: Polo Rocks

Rugby is Polo Ralph Lauren's collegiate clothing line. Their ad for the fall 2009 collection is somewhat typical, impossibly beautiful people, incredibly expensive casual wear and the best side of Central Park. Yet, the music chosen is a bit unorthodox for a refined, dignified Polo ad; the target audience is 18-25 year olds, albeit rather well of ones, and what appeals to this market better than rock music. The White Rabbits are a six-piece post-punk band from Brooklyn by way of Mizzou. Their sound is unique. "Percussion Gun" the song featured in the ad starts outs hard and heavy; but in between incredible percussion sections lead man Alexander Even's emotional vocalizations change the tempo and give the song a great varied quality.



Here's the full track
"Percussion Gun" White Rabbits

Rugby by Polo Ralph Lauren