Art question - brand names on boxes?

[Ninja Nemo]

Hey all,

So I'm working on an art project which itself is part commentary on commercialism. As part of it, there will be a small piles of boxes (amongst other things) representing the material world. That said, I was planning to use appliance, computer, electronics, etc. boxes but it crossed my mind that the brand names / products on the boxes themselves might be misconstrued as being contrary to decommodification. What say you?

[FIGJAM]

Put parody names on the boxes like they did on "burn wallstreet".

[Elliot]

I own two vacuum cleaners, a Suck-0-Lux and an Electrosux. My refrigerator is a Fridgidear. My washing machine is a Whirlpond and the dryer a Whirlygig. And so forth.

[Dr. Pyro]

It's your art Ninja Nimo, do as you please. If people don't get it, there's plenty of other non-commercialized art they can enjoy. I mean, Barbie Death Camp effectively promotes Mattel and we're shameless on our Barbie plugs. Commercialism? Of course. Bad taste? You betcha. Complaints about Corporate America? Not a one. So do as you please and please yourself; and if others don't like it, they can pound sand.

[trilobyte]

I think it kind of depends on context and execution. Dr. Pyro's camp is a perfect example - there's a commercial brand and logo in use, front and center, but it's done in a way that seems to work.

Unless you feel that those specific brand names are an important part of your project (as Barbie and Mattel are to BDC), you might want to consider something to cover or change them. A little paint can go a long way - either add a twist to the names on the boxes, or cover them up completely. Or 'black box' the logos, which would serve to emphasize the commentary on commercialism you're trying to make. And of course whatever you do, weight those suckers down.

[lemur]

i think parody logos are silly.. unless they arent.

to change/obscure just for the sake of pleasing hippies? i wouldnt change it.. nor would i be offended if i saw some logos on an art piece/elsewhere at the event

brands exist, its true... even at burning man.

unless youre actively selling those products at the event i see no worry about it


a canadian artist pal of mine once said his dream project for burning man would be an as-close-to-real replica of 7-11 as possible, with all of the normal products.. just free of charge (you still need to go to the checkout, of course).

i love that idea, and i think that it would be a lot more of a blatent use of logos, one that fits the idea of decommodification and gifting and 'art' (context/location aint right for such a shop)

i think you should feel free to do whatever you want with the logos in an art context


i mean its not like yer some asshole DJ with some lame production company banner behind him and giving away branded crap and setlists for upcoming shows..

or selling KRUG..

or monster energy drink..

[Savannah]

a canadian artist pal of mine once said his dream project for burning man would be an as-close-to-real replica of 7-11 as possible, with all of the normal products.. just free of charge (you still need to go to the checkout, of course).

Funny.

Someone was running an Inconvenience Store out there in recent years, and I think the idea was similar. People could donate stuff and pick things up.

I should have a convenience store stocked with completely atypical stuff. Foie gras and caviar, with frozen margaritas coming out of the slushy machines.

[katy potaty]

we're shameless on our Barbie plugs.

I can see how Barbie plugs could be quite marketable.

[BBadger]

Especially when Doc Pyro's Rogaine doesn't work.

[knowmad]

we're shameless on our Barbie plugs.

I can see how Barbie plugs could be quite marketable.

I just spit on my screen!

[dragonpilot]

Barbie plugs! Gawd...all those sharp angles...

El Monte RV becomes Full Monte RV with a little help from Mr Blue Painters Tape.

[lemur]

our neighbors, apparently tired of the logos.. did this one day to the truck we were using as our camp chill area/kitchen

[danibel]

our neighbors, apparently tired of the logos.. did this one day to the truck we were using as our camp chill area/kitchen

Excellent example of a good use of blue painters tape! One of my favorite things on the playa, and believe me there are plenty, is the creative streak people exhibit with logos on rentals. It's probably very silly of me to be so entertained by it, but some are really quite pithy!

[Ninja Nemo]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm still not sure if I'll show or cover the brands, but at least this gives me some opinions and input to weigh in the process. See you on the playa!

[Captain Goddammit]

If you have some great ideas for funny alterations to logos, go for it. But like others said, it's your piece, build it how you want.
General decommodification is the idea but it's not that strict. Honda generators are everywhere, PBR beer pretty much hydrates the playa and there might be no DPW without it, and I'd have to say the El Monte RV brand is by far the most widely seen commercial logo there... but hey, they are the ones who are willing to rent RVs to burners. Oh, and Budget and U-Haul.

You're fine. I'm sure your piece will incorporate logos in an artistic statement way and not an "advertising" way. Bring it!

[nickn]

Since you're doing a commentary on commercialism, it would likely diminish your message to change the real names to joke ones, so I'd say keep the real ones visible. I thought Burn Wall Street would have been better with the real names, and the fake ones made it kind of a not-ready-for-Mad-magazine joke.

[knowmad]

Since you're doing a commentary on commercialism, it would likely diminish your message to change the real names to joke ones, so I'd say keep the real ones visible. I thought Burn Wall Street would have been better with the real names, and the fake ones made it kind of a not-ready-for-Mad-magazine joke.

couldn't be done.
as is got a few nasty grams from a few of those banks.

[lemur]

couldnt be done my ass.

[BBadger]

Wouldn't want to dilute those trademarks. BRC is where trademarks come to be genericized and die.

[nickn]

Since you're doing a commentary on commercialism, it would likely diminish your message to change the real names to joke ones, so I'd say keep the real ones visible. I thought Burn Wall Street would have been better with the real names, and the fake ones made it kind of a not-ready-for-Mad-magazine joke.

couldn't be done.
as is got a few nasty grams from a few of those banks.

That would be protected speech, like any political cartoon or commentary. Not to say the corporations still wouldn't hassle you with actions.

[Savannah]

our neighbors, apparently tired of the logos.. did this one day to the truck we were using as our camp chill area/kitchen

Excellent example of a good use of blue painters tape! One of my favorite things on the playa, and believe me there are plenty, is the creative streak people exhibit with logos on rentals. It's probably very silly of me to be so entertained by it, but some are really quite pithy!

My first year, 3 guys in my group changed the PENSKE logo to read SPUNK.

It was awesome.

[Agaton]

That would be protected speech, like any political cartoon or commentary.

Also known as "fair use", I believe. Might be a good phrase to know.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay, I believe in satire and protected speech and sticking it to the corporations, but I also know it would be hard to deal with shit from banks, who outnumber me and have people far more trained in nastiness than I...

[theCryptofishist]

Try this...