Subvertisements: Using Ads and Logos for Protest

March 19– April 21, 2007

Opening Reception: March 23, 7- 9pm

California State University Northridge Art Galleries

18111 Nordhoff Street. Northridge, CA

91330 - 8299

www.csun.edu/artgalleries

(818) 677-2156

Your Sneakers, your iPod or Your Life. Branding has never been hotter. Adults and children alike are targeted by ads and pressured by peers to buy the right clothes, the right toys and the right cars, and often pay extra for the privilege of being a walking advertisement. Many items have become worth killing for just for the logo.

Throughout the world, political artists are taking advantage of highly marketed advertising campaigns to bring diverse social causes to the forefront. An iPod ad becomes an image of torture in Abu Ghraib prison. Insecticide Raid becomes anti-immigrant spray Fraid. Tony the Tiger becomes Frankentony. Whether they are protesting the Viet Nam or Iraq wars, drawing our attention to sweatshop labor, or opposing the use of pesticides and genetically modified foods, these posters provide an alternative view of reality.

Opening Reception:

Saturday March 24

7-10pm

The problem with Adbusters is that you have to be up on the latest ads to "get" the adbusters anti-ads. Once you're out of the media loop, consuming advertising becomes a job-like chore.

The problem with Adbusters is that you have to be up on the latest ads to "get" the adbusters anti-ads. Once you're out of the media loop, consuming advertising becomes a job-like chore.

What are you afraid of??