Advertisings High Art
If you're familiar with Chicago, more specifically Clark Street, then Houndstooth (the original) surely rings a bell. What you probably haven't seen, and if you did you probably don't remember, are a few hand-painted advertisements on the side of the building that have remained in awesome shape.
Simple. Yet classic. Who isn't excited when they see a big frothy mug of beer?Not only does this one say, "Check your firearms at the door," but what the hell are "Prickley Ash Bitters"? I did a little research..."Purify the sewers of the body and stimulate the digestive organs to maintain health, strength and energy. Prickly Ash Bitters is a tonic for the kidneys, liver, stomach and bowels. Sold by Harbert & Sheldon." So a post-drinking remedy to prevent hangovers? Genius.
"Come in for a stiff one." Sexual innuendo? I think so.
There are still things to be said for the traditional way of doing things. A few months ago I watched this short 13 minute film titled "Up There" showing the dying craft of large-scale, hand painted advertisements in New York City, specifically Stella Artois ads. With the rise of vinyl banners to cover the entire side of buildings it's no wonder why this symbiotic relationship between labor intensive art and advertising has diminished. If you have 13 minutes to spare in your busy day trust me you will not be dissapointed.
<p>UP THERE from Jon on Vimeo.</p>


