१९ मार्च, २००८

An amazingly beautiful ad.

Video. Via Drawn!, which says "Some of the stuff is rendered beautifully while other stuff misses the mark and lands somewhere in the uncanny valley," and the commenters over there — jealous animators? — are rather cruel. All I'll say is that the expensive item in the ad is something I held in my hands a few weeks ago and came this close to buying. I'm sure if I had seen the ad, I would have bought it.

The animator, James Jean, has a blog.

५० टिप्पण्या:

Freeman Hunt म्हणाले...

The animation is neat, but I'm not sure that I like the purse. The music made me think of Aphex Twin.

Peter V. Bella म्हणाले...

I thought we were in the post Prada era. Shows what I know.

Ann Althouse म्हणाले...

There are 3 different color combinations, and the ad features the only one I dislike — because it has that terrible 80s color "teal." It's way too soon to bring back teal. I never want to see it again. The other two color combos are really beautiful.

Smilin' Jack म्हणाले...

Very nice-looking ad...at least until that pointless ugly bag shows up and starts flopping around distractingly.

ricpic म्हणाले...

Well, at least there was a happy ending for the hummingbird.

What's the bag cost, a gazillion dollars?

MadisonMan म्हणाले...

According to the Prada website, the color isn't teal, it's either Bouganvillea or Voyage. I'm guessing Voyage.

A kilopound for a purse seems pricey to me. But I'm a guy with a ten-dollar wallet.

अनामित म्हणाले...

Ann-

Ha! I was just looking at the color combos and I thought how subjective patterns are.

Some patterns will evoke almost a gag reflex.

Now *ugh* the Orange and Pink -didn't that give you an early Denny's vibe?

It would be akin to the aqua and orange of HoJo's....

The shoes, the heels-have you ever scene porcelain?

I'm thinking they are going to fly-but they'll also break...

the bank.

[I was looking at the UK online purchase site-maybe in America they don't do the Denny's Special Gawd though if you've got that kind of money- or are younger -maybe you don't know your wearing the 70's Denny's thematic...]

Peter Hoh म्हणाले...

The web allows advertisers to step out of the 30 second ad limitations of TV. In the right hands, such freedom is a good thing.

Peter V. Bella म्हणाले...

because it has that terrible 80s color "teal." It's way too soon to bring back teal.

And no more damned Avocado Green for the next hundred years!!!!

Freeman Hunt म्हणाले...

Yes, it was the teal that threw me.

Palladian म्हणाले...

Unpleasant, simultaneously sterile and grotesque, accompanied by irritating noise, all with the purpose of making women buy an overpriced handbag.

The blanched bulimic waif in the heels should have eaten the hummingbird trapped in the purse. It might have been her last chance at nourishment before the inevitable starvation.

Ron म्हणाले...

It sort of reminds me of Roger Dean who used to do the art for Yes album covers....

Joan म्हणाले...

Ron:It sort of reminds me of Roger Dean who used to do the art for Yes album covers....

My thought from the get-go. Is it cool to cop an entire style from someone else who's famous for it? Does this piece qualify as an "homage"?

I thought it was quite beautiful, except for the androgyn. There was something wrong with the proportions of her face, which was broad and rounded, in opposition to the rest of her, which was long and angular. The characters used on some of the other purses have faces more congruent with their overall fey look.

I can't imagine ever buying a Prada purse. I just spent $55 for a tiny Fossil purse and still feel as if it was a ridiculous purchase. I think I paid $20 for my last purse about 8 years ago, and it was time for it to go. On the other hand, I will pay for a gorgeous satchel or larger bag that I can throw my purse, and everything else I need, into -- that's where I don't mind spending a little money and having some fun. But not Prada money.

For a design house, the UI on the "shop online" portion of the site is particularly atrocious.

sandy shoes म्हणाले...

Interesting. I found the ad repellant.

Pretty handbag though.

Ann Althouse म्हणाले...

palladian said..."Unpleasant, simultaneously sterile and grotesque, accompanied by irritating noise, all with the purpose of making women buy an overpriced handbag."

But Palladian, I am that woman!

Joan: "I can't imagine ever buying a Prada purse. I just spent $55 for a tiny Fossil purse and still feel as if it was a ridiculous purchase. I think I paid $20 for my last purse about 8 years ago, and it was time for it to go. On the other hand, I will pay for a gorgeous satchel or larger bag that I can throw my purse, and everything else I need, into -- that's where I don't mind spending a little money and having some fun. But not Prada money"

I used to never carry a purse. It was a matter of principle, a feminist concept. I went out of my way to find clothes with pockets and superslim wallets. I'm thinking of going back to that, at least for times -- rare! -- when I don't want to have my computer and will carry my camera in my hand. I just paid $92 for this very flat, bright-colored wallet, which I recommend. But for a handbag, since you use it a lot, you have to get something good. It's a stretch to justify the Prada things, but if it's very beautiful, well-made, and useful, I think it's not disgustingly extravagant.

अनामित म्हणाले...

"Alien" meets "The Fifth Element." Ugh.

Palladian म्हणाले...

"palladian said..."Unpleasant, simultaneously sterile and grotesque, accompanied by irritating noise, all with the purpose of making women buy an overpriced handbag."

But Palladian, I am that woman!"

Oh we're all swayed into irrationality by beauty in one way or another.

Freeman Hunt म्हणाले...

I found the ad repellant.

But what of the animation?

As for the story the animation is telling... very odd; what is it? A sort of Designer Eve born into the Garden of Fashion? Does she eat the fruit of Knowledge of Patterns and Design? Then there is the demon made happy by pretty things... All very odd. Made me think nihilism. "Go forth and purchase."

Henry म्हणाले...

Count me in with Palladian and sandyshoes. The waif was really creepy, the degenerate offspring of a Maxfield Parrish nude and a Barbi doll, crossed again with one of Spielberg's Close Encounter aliens.

And one more thing: Hummingbirds? dewdrops? Sheesh, why not a cute-eyed kitten and the slogan "hang in their baby".

Bissage म्हणाले...

Here’s my spendthrift confession.

I once paid $350 for a wallet.

But it was made out of penis skin so a little rubbing turned it into a suitcase.

Palladian म्हणाले...

It's the hippy-dippy sexless-android faux-mystical Björkiness that I find so unappealing. Post-modern fashion advertising seems so post-fashionable.

Bob म्हणाले...

The artwork in the ad was very 70's psychedelic, and reminded me of the Aquarian Tarot by artist David Palladini.

Are you going to reconsider and get the purse now, Ann? I admit it is a lovely thing.

KCFleming म्हणाले...

Unpleasant, simultaneously sterile and grotesque

Hey, that was my favorite post-punk band of the 1980s!

It's also under the 'Recent Skills' heading on my resume.

Palladian म्हणाले...

"Unpleasant, simultaneously sterile and grotesque"

"It's also under the 'Recent Skills' heading on my resume."


That's how my boyfriend reviews our intimate moments on off-nights.

rhhardin म्हणाले...

She got pregnant along the way, if I'm reading the symbology correctly.

Hummingbirds are fairly bold creatures.

rhhardin म्हणाले...

Freud has purses as vaginal symbols, but you knew that.

KCFleming म्हणाले...

Palladian

Well, it appears I'm not the only one then.

john म्हणाले...
ही टिप्पणी लेखकाना हलविली आहे.
john म्हणाले...

I saw that girl in Roswell NM a couple of years ago.

At the museum, downtown. Or maybe it was her brother.

Bissage - are you taking Titus lessons?

Synova म्हणाले...

I didn't get an uncanny valley feel at all but maybe that's because I watch a lot of animation.

It was way too long though. It felt a little bit like literati discovering sci-fi for the first time and continuing under the mistaken impression that they were doing something particularly fresh.

I liked the purses, though. Probably the first time I've noticed a Prada purse that wasn't too ugly. Didn't notice the teal.

I had a wallet with a cell phone space for several years after I gave up the diaper bag and other women couldn't believe I got by with something so small. It was like a wallet on a string or something. The strap broke and I couldn't find a new one like that so I got the smallest possible purse that I didn't totally hate.

Now I'm thinking that I really want space for my reading glasses and a paperback... so that's bigger again.

But I hate lugging stuff around and it takes so little to get back in diaper bag territory.

Dust Bunny Queen म्हणाले...

I used to never carry a purse. It was a matter of principle, a feminist concept

Wow. I could never get by without a purse. I carry two pairs of eyeglasses. One for outside the office,driving and distance vision, the other strictly for use at the computer and close up vision. HP12C calculator, small note book, pens, business card case. A wallet with ID,credit cards/atm card,money. A jewelers loupe for antique shopping. Small mirror. Lip gloss. Keys for car, office, post office boxes, home, hubby's workshop and vehicles and safe deposit box. Thumb drive between work and home. Cell phone. Breath mints.

I would be really hard pressed to put all of that stuff in just pockets even if I wore outfits that actually had pockets. Consequently my purse is basically a large ugly satchel. Not a pretty little handbag.

NotWhoIUsedtoBe म्हणाले...

With all the edenic imagery, with fruits and snakes and what not, why not call it "The Devil Sells Prada?"

George M. Spencer म्हणाले...

Smokey says, First I Look at the Purse.

Jim Howard म्हणाले...

I bought a Prada purse for my wife. She loves it, so I guess it's a good one. It did come with its own ID card.

But that video creeped me out in a number of places, and now I'm frightened of the purse.

Bissage म्हणाले...

[J]ohn, I'm sure you meant that as a playful compliment, but God forbid anyone should think I’m following TitusXXX or even that my comments are substantially similar.

I think he's an obnoxious, self-obsessed, unimaginative, gay-hating pig.

That said, he seems to be popular around here and beloved of our hostess, in particular.

Good for him. Althouse is a big blog and there's room for just about everyone.

I wish him well just as I wish he'd prove me wrong by expanding his repertoire substantially.

titusgrandjetewithalaybackintothesplits म्हणाले...

Bisage I am devastated-you put a knife in my heart-but I will go on.

Love the ad and love the purse.
Bitch buy the purse. You won't have the chance in Madison and you will be able to use it long time. You will love it like you love your first born. People around you will love it. They will want to touch the artistry. You will waltz around the full length mirror looking at yourself loving the purse loving you.

As a buyer of Prada it is my favorite designer.

Why? The fit. The way the clothes are made. The simplicity of most of the clothes. The narrow tailoring. The lining of the inside of the pants. The narrow collars on the shirts. The fabulous little red tag that says Prada and that I kiss when putting on the item. And the constant compliments I receive when wearing Prada.

Prada accessories are something that everyone can enjoy. Prada Sport is a little cheaper and cute for weekend get aways to the Cape and Maine.

But Prada clothes are another animal all together. Generally, they are made for very thin people. Fortunately, that is me. For others there is always something less discerning and more practical.

Afterall, wearing Prada in Iowa is not going to get you the attention you so richly deserve. You need to be appreciated and respected with your Prada ensemble and only certain cities will really appreciate you wearing Prada.

Thanks,

Tootles,

PS Buy the purse bitch.

Ann Althouse म्हणाले...

Palladian said..."It's the hippy-dippy sexless-android faux-mystical Björkiness that I find so unappealing."

Reminds me of David Bowie in "The Man Who Fell to Earth."

Titus: "Buy the purse bitch."

I did buy a Prada purse recently. Just not that one. I can't put my computer in it. There's a similar thing in an envelope shape...

Dust Bunny Queen म्हणाले...

But that video creeped me out in a number of places, and now I'm frightened of the purse.

Its the black empty eyes sucking your soul into oblivion. If I were you I would lock the purse in another room at night. :D

Joe M. म्हणाले...

Alright, so here's the story:

Woman wakes up naked.
Finds shoes.
Shoes lead her to an apple (the tree of knowledge, original sin).
She eats the apple, passing in to a wilderness of bright new color (sin) where she finds clothes.
There she meets a satyr (wild, untamed, savage sex and debauchery).
She finishes the apple (completely given over to sin) at which point the satyr (man) offers her an expensive purse (buying her off with gifts).
Ecstatic, her world returns to a (false) innocent white.
The satyr, having served one purpose (gifts), breaks up and fades away into a Georgia-O'Keefe-esque flower-orgasm (his other purpose).
The woman opens her purse and unleashes the cycle once more upon the world.

Yikes!

Bissage म्हणाले...

TitusXXX,

In real life, I would probably like you a lot. At least for a while.

I love a mischievous sense of humor.

But, by God, man, challenge yourself and do us all a favor.

P.S. Althouse doesn't seem to mind, but I think it's simply wrong to call a woman a bitch and fey irony is no justification. Apart from that, I believe there's nothing quite so disgustingly distrustful as false intimacy.

Maybe it works for you.

Love, Bissage.

Bissage म्हणाले...

And . . . so . . . I'm done crapping up the thread.

See you all later.

Take care.

Palladian म्हणाले...

Bissage is funnier than titus.

Chip Ahoy म्हणाले...

Egg shell ants! Woo to the anim!
Yay for the bag! Buy it immediately. Best ad ever.

I like the way the Venus Hummingbird trap engulfs the bird appropriates its colors then releases it from the bag at the end. Forbidden fruit, morphing satyr, the whole thing. Wundervoll!

titusgrandjetewithalaybackintothesplits म्हणाले...

Sorry Bisage I don't change for anyone-even on a blog with a bunch of anonymous posters.

Now back to Prada.

The reason Prada is so fabulous is because it is timeless and never goes out of style. You can wear the shit forever.

There is nothing loud or garish about Prada. It is understated elegance, mute colors (generally), and fabulous fit.

If you don't go for the clothes fellow republicans it should be a requirement for all to have a pair of Prada loafers. The things are beautiful, wear well, and are so dependable and reliable.

UH OH a couple is screaming outside of my loft. I hear a knock down drag down swear filled fight every night between some couple.

Daryl म्हणाले...

The meaning is simple. The girl represents innocence, naivety, and virginity. The statue represents carnal knowledge, lust, experience, wealth, and power. She wanders through the ad dazed, like the old Satyr slipped some roofies in her drink.

She poses for him, and he gifts her a purse.

He dies, and she inherits his butterfly.

It's all very Anna Nicole Smith, and none too subtle.

Tibore म्हणाले...

Yeah, it was okay, right up to where the prepubescent Twi'lek showed up. Then it got creepy.

Synova म्हणाले...

You got the prepubescent vibe, too?

I will say that I was reminded of the post Ann did about the male models a while ago. Sexualizing boys who look like they don't *quite* shave yet.

Daryl म्हणाले...

Tibore: Yeah, it was okay, right up to where the prepubescent Twi'lek showed up. Then it got creepy.

Althouse is a professor of Con Law, right? How does this ad change her views about the Constitutionality of virtual child pr0n?

blake म्हणाले...

No "uncanny valley" here.

Beowulf is in the uncanny valley. The Christmas movie Zemeckis did before that. Final Fantasy is seriously in the valley.

This never pretends to be literally human and so avoids it. (Not to say that you might not dislike it anyway, and "uncanny valley" is just a theory, but this doesn't fit.)

Tibore म्हणाले...

"You got the prepubescent vibe, too?"

Of course. I don't see how it can be missed.