BRIEF: The client, Manchester Electronic Collective, commissioned me to create branding and social media ads for their then-new monthly live electronic music events in Manchester.
THE CONCEPT: 'Dance With The Robots' explores the parasocial relationship between the electronic musician and their equipment, often referred to as 'the machines'. The logo/wordmark is based upon the step sequencers within many hardware drum machines. The main graphic image depicts androids/cyborgs with their own distinct personalities. This is a common visual metaphor within electronic music, from Kraftwerk to Daft Punk and beyond.
The posts created for the initial events depicted somewhat ramshackle-looking humanoid robots to signify the DIY nature of the event and the rough-and-ready feel of many of the performances.
With AI in the news so much at the beginning of 2024, in March we chose to celebrate the original Godfathers of the Movement like Max Headroom and Holly from Red Dwarf as well as other glitchy talking faces on a computer screen, robots from Sci-fi and Comedy movies and TV shows in 80's and 90s.
In April 2024 we chose to celebrate/contemplate the recentish tradition of "SPRING BREAK!!". Particularly, with regard tourist using purpose built resorts in poorer countries, that restrict entry for local people, exploit local workers and cause environmental problems.
The image shows a bunch of largely lovely spring breakers partying whilst something ominous hangs over them. It's up to the viewer ask to why the 'robo -dolphin' is there. Maybe he's just innocently watching or entertaining them? Or has he had to get out of the sea because it is no longer hospitable to him?
The image shows a bunch of largely lovely spring breakers partying whilst something ominous hangs over them. It's up to the viewer ask to why the 'robo -dolphin' is there. Maybe he's just innocently watching or entertaining them? Or has he had to get out of the sea because it is no longer hospitable to him?
The colour fade/sunset is informed by design of Lost Mary disposable vapes, representing the a large number of disposable products used during spring break and other festivals.
In August 2024 with the Olympics in full swing we chose to celebrate. The 'Mega Olympics', where athletes would be free to use any performance enhancing drugs, biotech, robotics they see fit. This used to be bit of joke comedians sometimes made on panel shows after doping scandells, but when to shared this concept with my client on of there team alerted me to a BBC article about the 'Enhanced Games' which are due to launch in 2025.
In September 2024 we celebrate the autumn equinox. The equinox has been signified in surrealist art by figures falling through hour glass timer. The desert shown on the background represents the sand within the hourglass, and the theme of falling is also present, but our protagonist is a trained and prepared parachute jumper, who i knows where he wants to land.
"The equinoxes and solstices happen because Earth tilts on its axis by 23 1/2 degrees. Because of the Earth’s tilt, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres trade places in receiving the sun’s light and warmth most directly." (earth-sky.org)
The event 10 days before the equinox. The line across the diagram shows the rough (and I do mean very rough ) position of the earths axis on the evening of the party.
