VW advert aims to catch the fast-forwarders

In a world of DVR recorders, Sky+ and TiVo it's becoming harder for advertisers to reach their audience as many record their shows just so that they can skip the adverts.

In an attempt to tackle this issue head-on DDB Brussels has produced a special TV ad for Volkswagen that when fast forwarded still works as an advert.

Given the moniker 'slowmercial', this new format features the VW beetle convertible in action, mainly closing the roof. At normal speed this could almost be painful to watch were it not for the relaxing birdsong in the background, but at a fast forward speed the ad works well.

The advert is only presently only being shown in Belgium but you can see it below.

It is a clever concept but does it impact upon the effectiveness of the normal speed ad, after all you cannot bore people into buying a product1

PuLSaTe pop-up installation

Architects Lily Jencks and Nathanael Dorent have been commissioned by Capitol Designer Studio to design a unique pop-up installation in London called PuLSaTe.

Using Marazzi’s SistemN tiles, from a range stocked by Capitol, they fitted out a showroom in Primrose Hill to create PuLSaTe, a pop-up installation that will not only show off the uses and colours of the tiles but also provide a cultural hub.

The zig-zag design, along with sloped floors, plays with your perception. Benches built into the walls of the installation become a consumer experience like no other. The pop-up installation on Chalcot Road, opened on the 21st March and will remain open, running a variety events including workshops, until 27th October 2013.

Take a look at a video about the project below.

Pulsate from STRIPE on Vimeo.

British architects to work on stadiums for Rio 2016

Two British architecture firms who worked on projects for London 2012 have successfully been chosen to design stadia for the next Olympic Games.

3DReid and AndAchitects have been chosen to work with local companies to design and build venues.

3DReid has recently been working on the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games arenas, whilst AndAchitects has a long list of work with lower league football clubs.

Whilst the games will take place across 4 different areas of Rio, the companies will be focused on one area, which is the master plan of international firm AECOM. This section is vital for the games legacy as it will be be transformed in the years after the games into athletic training centres and a mix of public spaces and buildings for residential, commercial and office use. 

Watch the outline for the plans in the video below.

Rio 2016 Olympics from James Shaw on Vimeo.

Interactive art that mimics

Daniel Rozin's Mirrors seem to be pretty normal sculptures until you take a step closer, then they shift to mimic you. 

Currently exhibiting at Bitforms in New York until the 6th April, his 'mirror' pieces shift the patterns formed on them to mimic the viewers shape in real-time. This is done via cameras that detect shapes and cause the LEDs to change the pattern on the screen. Whilst not recreating a persons image perfectly, the screen will copy movements made until the person steps out of range.

The exhibition, called Angles, features some of the artists other kinetic work, which also interact with their surroundings and work on a principle of merging the geometric with the participatory.

Why men need their own shampoo

It appears that in Brazil  using a woman's shampoo can have strange side-effects, at least that's what we gather from this ad for Dove Men+ Care made by Ogilvy & Mather Brazil.

In this humorous commercial see what happens when a work colleague uses the wrong shampoo.

Definitely an odd one but worth a worth below.

Enjoy!

New London listings service – This At There

It's Nice That, which publishes exciting, original and engaging work from both established names and talented newcomers, has produced a new listings service for London.

Called This At There, the listing service is a re-invention of their old 'whats-on' focused currently on Art and Design events in London. The listings are put in order of when they finish, so hopefully you won't miss the shows you really want to see.

They are looking to roll it out worldwide eventually with more cities being added later this year, but by keeping it London focused will allow them to keep on top of it for now and work out any teething problems.

You can find out more about the new service here.

Goat is new brand ambassador for Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew has released a new and strange ad featuring the star of a recent viral craze; the goat.

The viral craze in question was the funny but slightly disturbing "Goats yelling like humans" which was then mashed into a number of pop songs.

Thankfully this ad doesn't feature any singing, but the goat is screaming like a human, although more like an irate customer than a pop star.

The American commercial is directed by Tyler, The Creator, the leader of hip-hop collective Odd Future, and he also produces the vocal talents for Felicia.

Not completely sure what the messaging is here but the crazy nature of the advert is in line with what the company normally produces and it promises sequels.

Watch the advert below and let us now what you think

Jane Drew prize winner 2013

The Architect's Journal's jury has selected their winner of the 2013 Jane Drew Prize as Eva Jiřičná. By an unanimous vote she won the award "for her outstanding contribution to the status of women in architecture".

The Czech-born architect is based in London, after studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, starting her career with the Greater London Council followed by  the Louis de Soisssons Partneship. She then set up her own practice with David Hodges in 1982 and from there she began to be recognised for her work.

She rebranded her firm in 1985 to Eva Jiricna Architects, then in 1988 completed her flagship store for the Joseph fashion label, where it is said she "reinvented the idea of retail"

Jiřičná, who is also famous for her steel and glass staircases, was part of the inaguaral judging panel for the prize in 1998, which was created to honour Dame Jane Drew, who died in July 1996 and was an English modernist architect and town planner.  

She recieved her prize at a special luncheon held in London on the 22nd March. Read an arctile about the awards here.

Christo's big air package

Big Air Package from Christo opened this month at the Gasometer Oberhausen, Germany. 

It is reported to be both the largest inflated frameless envelope and the most expansive indoor sculpture ever created.

The 90 meter high inflatable boasts a volume of 177,000 cubic meters and uses 20,350 square meters of semitransparent polyester fabric as well as 4,500 meters of rope. Despite lacking a skeleton the 5 ton form fills the interior of a former gas tank.

Christo describes the experience as 'virtually swimming in light' as a result of the vast expanses of fabric, lit from above via skylights in the Gasometer.

Filled with diffused natural daylight and muffled sounds it becomes a place of tranquility.

The project runs until 30th December 2013.

Photos: Wolfgang Volz © 2013 Christo