Talented illustrator Hong Chun Zhang plays with paradoxical idea in the Hairy Objects series. The basis of the artistic experiment is that people often admire the beauty of hair –– when it's attached to one's head –– yet they are repulsed by it the moment it detaches and relocates.
The artist's skilled hand renders the gorgeous, smooth, silky and shiny strands that are coveted by so many men and women, yet these tresses are depicted escaping from bathroom faucets, hamburgers, toilet rolls, toothpaste tubes and elsewhere. It gives the viewer an unsettling impression that stirs mixed feelings about the beauty of these drawings and their subjects. These Hairy Objects demonstrate an interesting psychological play that reminds designers and marketers to be conscious and clever in the way that they communicate visually, as not to confuse or miss their marks.
Dual-Response Drawings
These Hairy Objects Play on the Joint Attraction and Disgust Towards Hair
Trend Themes
1. Paradoxical Art - Exploring contradictory emotions through art presents opportunities for designers and marketers to create impactful visuals that evoke mixed feelings.
2. Beauty Vs. Repulsion - Examining the dichotomy between attraction and disgust towards certain objects opens avenues for disruptive innovation in product design and branding.
3. Psychological Impact of Visuals - Understanding the psychological effects of visual representations provides an opportunity for businesses to create compelling and thought-provoking marketing campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - The field of art and design can leverage paradoxical concepts to create unique and captivating art installations and experiences.
2. Consumer Goods - Manufacturers of consumer goods can explore the use of paradoxical designs to create novel and attention-grabbing product packaging and advertisements.
3. Marketing and Advertising - The marketing and advertising industry can utilize insights from the psychological impact of visuals to develop more engaging and persuasive campaigns.