killing denouement

Another globalisation is possible? Probably not. This however is North Road Cemetary, in Southend, England, and it just might be where the phenomenon goes to die. Or rather three of its MNC markers – Macdonalds, Nike, and perhaps unusually, Chanel. The artist in question, Laura Keeble, based the project on “theory of magical thinking, looking at belief systems and idol worship”. She says that it plays with the viewers perception, hopefully creating a pause for thought. I can certainly think of people who indeed positively worship at the altar of the now iconic interlinked Cs, but Macdonalds? It’s nice that it can be read in so many ways though.

When I see it I for example tend to immedately think of corporate imperialism and globalisation, as opposed to maybe aspirational-luxe goods. The markers are at the same time a jolting reminder of just how far brand recognition has permeated into our collective cultural consciousness. These symbols are obviously among the most recognisable, but you’d probably be surprised as to just how many others you recognise – take the corporate logo-d flag, for example.

Brand symbols aside, though I find myself most uncannily disconcerted when I start to recognise fonts that I didn’t even realise I could identify. I think the first time I became conscious of this was when I was about 12 or 13, and saw an ad on the back of a speeding truck, which had no brandname or product, but the very recognisable Marlboro text. I probably saw it for onlya few seconds before it screeched into another lane but it’s been something I remember with faint uneasiness ever since. Come to think of it, you used to ever so often see really ornate animal carrier trucks in Dubai – kind of like a flatbed, but with wreathed and vined, almost baroquey raised sides, which used to be packed with superindignant dusty goats. I never see those anymore – perhaps it’s a function of usually only being here during December-Jan, when the goats are still out on the mountains? Or maybe globalisation at play too.

These ‘liquidated logos’ are meanwhile from an exhibition by French street artist ZEVS. I especially love the splashily reflective effect of the shop window with the Macdonalds one from Paris. This last poster is one I have on my closet door in NYC, and is by the Taring Padi Collective in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the text at the top reads ‘anti-debt’. It can be found over at the wonderful justseeds