TOW #13 Kmart Commercial

Kmart has recently started releasing "edgy" commericals, and unleased them unto the internet, where they have gone viral. Some of the commercials use play on words, the first popular one titled "Ship My Pants", which bragged about a Kmart customer can ship anything from Kmart to their homes. While the commercial was strictly about shipping, the play on words made people think of a more vulgar expression. Their newest holiday commeccial featured several attactive men in tuxedo jackets and boxer shorts, shaking their hips to the tune of "jingle bells". Kmart seems to be pushing the envelope with these commericials, but they are absolute genius. Through humor, they spread the word of their company through the media of the internet.
Kmart must be praised for knowing their audience, the average American citizen. They use humor that would appeal to them, even if it does seem a bit edgy for a commerical. When people see the commerical they are shocked at the slightly inappropiate humor, but also very amused. This causes the commerical to stick in their minds, and with it, the company that created it. Thus Kmart makes people remember their store.
People not only remember these commericals, but struck by the hilarity, want to share it with others. These commericals have gaimed millions of views on the internet as people share them with their family and friends. They were even featured on the news! As the commericals gain more popularity, so does the influencce of Kmart, as people gain awareness of their store.
The Kmart commericals are effective because though they rely on humor, they are not overpowered by it. Their message (to advertise the store) is not drowned out by the humor. The commericals are not unrelated to Kmart and the services they offer as a store. Instead, they are snarky and quirky while maintaining their purpose: shop at Kmart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVhIMr4ScI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I03UmJbK0lA

TOW #12 IRB post Naked by David Sedaris

David Sedaris did not have a glamourous childhood, yet his memoirs in his autobiography Naked are compelling and attention-grabbing. As Sedaris writes about who he is, and how he came to be the man he is today, he recounts his humble beginnings. Through contrast and and humor, he tells the story of his childhood in an interesting and through-provoking manner.
The first essay of the book is titled "Chipped Beef". The essay starts out by recounting Sedaris's "anit-childhood", the childhood he wanted but did not have. He talks about his rich family, who is so beautiful they are asked to sit in the front row of church, as to not distract those attending the service, and are often stopped on the street and asked for autographs. The memoir is actually quite confusing at first, though very amusing. One is not completely certain that Sedaris is not speaking truthfully about his childhood until his mother wakes him from a dream, and Searis is brought back to reality.
The reality of his life if quite different than his fantasy. His parents have many children, and struggle to support them all. Sedaris is angry at his life sometimes, wanting a more luxurious one. This stark contrast, which is sharpened by the humor of his "dream" paints a picture for the reader of Sedaris's lot in life, allowing them to better understand where he comes from.
David Sedaris is a joy to read, and a terribly interesting man. I can't wait to read more!

TOW #11 Whale Painting

Many mediums have been used to capture the intense beauty of nature, but none perhaps are as expressive as the art of painting. Many unfortunate environmental circumstances however, like pollution and emissions, threaten the existence of nature's beauty. Artist Jakub Poriz has painted a series of environmental paintings in order to exemplify nature's beauty, and raise awareness of the action needed to be taken to prevent its destruction. Through his use of color and brush strokes, he paints a picture (pun intended) of a serene ocean scene, allowing the viewer to see the beauty of the ocean, and perhaps feel compelled to protect it.
Poriz uses mainly light colors in the painting. There is an impression of sunlight streaming through the water and blessing the whales. The whales are darker upon the light water making them stand out to the viewer. The light colors create a sense of calmness of the painting, making the audience connect with the paradisal ocean and want to preserve its serene beauty. The contrast of the whales' bodies make the whales stand out and is significant in making the whales seem more real to audience, many of whom have probably never seen a whale in real life. By accenting the fact that the whales are real creatures, he allows the viewer to connect to the animals and feel like they should protect them.
The brush strokes Poriz uses are very fine and add to the intricacy of the painting. They contrast the bulkiness associated with whales generally and add a unique beauty to the scene. They also create a movement in the painting. One can imagine the whales moving in a lackadaisical manner. The brushstrokes make the reader associate the scene in the painting with peacefulness and beauty, something they should want to protect.
Poriz sells this painting and many others to make others aware of the beauty of the environment, and to call for a change to protect it. The profits from the prints of these paintings go to environmental efforts.