When Advertising Follows Art

by Hrag Vartanian on April 2, 2012
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by Hrag Vartanian on April 2, 2012

Screenshots of the Residence Inn commercial (left) and Aitkens' "Migration" (right) (all via YouTube)

Sometimes advertising follows art, and this is one of those times. Presenting Doug Aitkens’ “Migration” (2008) and a very recent commercial for Residence Inn (2012). Sure, it’s not the only time someone has placed adorable animals in a hotel room but there are some striking similarities even if they’re not exact.

It’s amazing how Aitkens makes the scenes feel unnerving, while the hotel commercial transforms the scene into something soothing.

Tagged as: advertising, Doug Aitken

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719883836 Lisa Siraganian
The difference, I think, is in the attitude towards animals-as-humans: Aitken challenges the implied anthropomorphism of the scene while the commercial relishes in it.
- http://hragv.com Hrag Vartanian
  Excellent point.
http://twitter.com/ExtendOurStay ExtendOurStay
This is different. There are many
opinions that can be applied to the use of animals versus humans. Initially
I though that it was a metaphor implying how large the suite is (elephant and giraffe),
until I saw the penguins.
http://www.ourextendedstay.com