“In An Absolut World”… I Would Have A Million Dollars
Blog Post #6
I read an article called “Picturing Texts” that allowed me to see the similarities and differences between alphabetical text and visual text. The article gave me different ways to break down the advertisement shown here.
As you can see, the advertisement shown is for Absolut Vodka.
Balance: There is art work on both sides of the ad with bright colors which also shows how they are similar. The artwork is of people. As well the ad shows balance as you can see where both pedestrian signs say walk and both traffic lights are green.
Description: No actual text is given for the description of the advertisment. Because the advertisement is called “In An Absolut World”, it allows the consumers to fill in their own desire. The setting is Times Square, New york, which is a prime example of a busy, fast paced lifestyle. It is never slow and always moving. New York also has many different kinds of people, rich, poor, and of all ethnicities. This fast paced lifestyle shows a common desire among the population for an opportunity to escape. Absolut invites the consumers into a world of their own fondness with no stress. Stress is common in an urban setting which is a major reason people drink. They can escape from reality of a capitalist/ consumer driven society into a more culturally appreciative society. The usual billboards in Times Square, New York are replaced with artwork, showing a world without the technologically advancing and fast paced world into a slower more appreciating world, things people take for granted.
Emphasis: There is a light/dark pattern shown. The artwork is emphasized because of the brighter lights and coloring. The street is darker so your eyes are not drawn there first.
Point of view: The advertisement converges to one point. This shows how Absolut wants its customers to end up at the same point and have the same views after looking at the ad. They obviously want the consumers to buy their product, like it, and come back for more.
Like I said before, Absolut is showing an escape out of reality into more of a fantasy. Its title “In An Absolut World” is not completed… so the ad lets the consumers complete the sentence. As you can see by my title, I said “In An Absolut World.. I Would Have A Million Dollars”. How would you complete “In An Absolut World” with your own fantasy?
Here is another advertisement for Absolut Vodka. It also shows an escape into a fantasy, the fantasy being Kanye West.
I love your comment that “New Yorker’s fast paced lifestyle shows a common desire for an opportunity to escape.” I analyzed the same advertisement and I conveyed that Absolut vodka invites people in to a fantasy with an attempt to escape reality.
You state, “New York also has many different kinds of people, rich, poor.” How does this contribute to your observation that New Yorkers have a fast paced lifestyle? Perhaps Absolut chose the setting of Times Square in its advertisement because metaphorically, Absolut vodka can be enjoyed by all types of people. Evidently, New York is a melting pot of countless ethnicities. Peoples’ taste of beverage contains no boundaries nor limitations as to who can enjoy it. New York City is like a comfort destination for almost all Americans. Most Americans have a connection with someone in NYC, being that it is one of the world’s largest and most populated metropolitan areas.
Alcohol ads are allllways interesting. They always seem to convey a picture of fantasy, beauty, sex, money, all the good stuff. Of course, because that is what alcohol can make you feel like, right? It is interesting how you picked up on the fact that the “In an absolut world” sentence isn’t finished. It definitely leaves a lot to ponder. People can make up their own answer to what it would be like in an absoult world. And I guess according to them, its Kanye… well, I hope he lets them finish their ad… (bad joke, sorry)