I’ve happily and gratefully shared numerous Ads I Wish I’d Made — ads of a variety of types that are so good, by some metric or another, that it makes… wish I’d made it and inspires me to up my game. But I think this edition is the first one dedicated to outdoor installations, which is unfortunate, because there are so many that could potentially go on the list. (Maybe the next edition.)
So, here are outdoor installations I Wish I’d Made.
“Unsilence the Violence” sexually harassed statues
A campaign in locations around Germany draws attention to sexual harassment by depicting years of “harmless touching” via bronze statues polished to a bright sheen in… certain areas. The campaign, launched by women’s rights organization TERRE DES FEMMES and agency Scholz & Friends, was inspired by the famous Molly Malone statue in Dublin, Ireland, itself polished by decades of uninvited gropings.
“The Secret of the Bees” living billboards
(Beelboards?)
(No?)
National Geographic’s documentary, “The Secrets of the Bees,” does not honey-coat the crisis facing the North American honeybee due to habitat loss, agricultural chemicals, and parasites. Promotions for the documentary (in and around Manchester, England, at least) included permanent “bloomboards” featuring hundreds of bee-friendly plants and mini-bee hotels made from sustainably-sourced cedar. The campaign was a partnership between NatGeo and Meanwhile Agency and included instructions on how viewers can create their own bee-friendly habitats.
Rachel Miles, creative director at Meanwhile, said, “We’re buzzing to be part of this project,” for which she will not be forgiven.
“Fountain of Filth” yarking sewage fountains
I’ll close with one that’s my favorite, possibly because my sick sense of humor is piqued by someone else’s sick sense of, well, something. To promote its upcoming “Dirty Business,” a “factual drama” about Britain’s very real sewage crisis, Channel 4 unveiled a large-size chundering sewage fountain on London’s South Bank.
It’s a for-real fountain, surrounded by a dozen assorted bronze-like human figures hunched over and spewing brownish water, including several real-life figures, who were faithfully portrayed thanks to 3D scans. And the whole thing was crowned, subtly, by a besuited executive, proudly straightening his lapels, pockets and briefcase bulging with cash. A QR code allows visitors to hear real stories from people who’ve been really affected.
The bronze barfing basin appears courtesy of Channel 4’s in-house agency, 4Creative, in collaboration with Glue Society and Biscuit Filmworks. And for that, I thank them.
And I welcome any current or potential clients interested in something real-life and striking, to make a big statement. Something that punches ‘em right in the gut. Clearly I am inspired.