In a bizarre and unsettling series Eugenio Merino created sculptures of infamous politicians like Kim Jong Il and George W. Bush that are placed inside Coca-Cola coolers. The Spanish artist features politicians from around the world for 'Always Shameless.' The eery series title was inspired by one of Coke's previous slogans from the early 1990s 'Always.'
The concept behind putting professional political people like Francisco Franco and Vladimir Putin into the large branded refrigerators was about "suggesting that corporate waste and funeral imagery go hand in hand." The morbid sculptures Eugenio Merino made represent the politicians with their arms crossed over their chests with eyes closed, as one would see a corpse in a coffin.
What's Driving This Trend
- Artistic Political Commentary
- Opportunity to use art to comment on politics and societal issues through unconventional and provocative sculptures.
- Subverting Brand Imagery
- Opportunity to challenge and redefine corporate branding and messaging through unexpected juxtapositions and associations.
- Exploring Morality and Symbolism
- Opportunity to examine the intersection of morality, waste, and death symbolism in artistic expressions.
Who This Affects Most
- Contemporary Art
- The art industry can leverage provocative sculptures to generate discussions and challenge societal norms.
- Branding and Advertising
- Brands and marketing agencies can explore unconventional approaches to redefine brand messages and create memorable associations.
- Funeral Services
- Funeral service providers can incorporate artistic expressions that engage with themes of waste, death, and symbolism to offer unique and thought-provoking funeral experiences.
