Blunt like Jenny Holzer
Jenny Holzer’s copy-based art is impactful, engaging, truthful and above any other buzzword – blunt.
It hits you in the face with compact statements about the world and the human condition.
She’s exhibited her work everywhere from street corners and billboards to galleries – using posters, LED screens and projections.
But wherever they are, their presence forces you to be present.
“Truisms” and other blunt objects (1977-)
Slap ‘em in the face.
People don’t generally care about ads as much as advertisers or marketers do, we therefore don’t have the luxury of time or interest on our side.
I love these examples because they either make big platforms bigger, or turn small placements into massive statements.
Adidas knew what time it was:
This NSPCC headline challenges you to not to look away:
Reebok told the truth:
Jenny Holzer collaborated with Helmut Lang to make a sexy perfume ad without any models or samples:
It works for branding too:
And can make a pun pop:
A true classic of the genre, do you have a favourite piece of blunt advertising?
Drop a comment, send a reply – and I’ll share next time.
Thanks for reading,
Jonathan ✌️
Listen.
Check out the Jenny Holzer episode of Kunst Please for a deeper dive into the artist.