We all enjoy a good meme every now and again but rarely do we come across ones that are as artistically stimulating as they are amusing. Most memes rely on goofy or quirky pop culture imagery to emphasize their written punchlines but it’s a rarity to encounter ones that speak volumes without having to spell it out in bold.
Introducing @hey_Reilly - One of the few visual designers who has truly raised the status quo of Instagram art to a whole new level. Unlike the inaccessible world of fine art which can come off as condescending, and reserved solely for the eyes of high society elitists, Reilly’s work has transcended these boundaries and is on public exhibition for anyone with a smartphone to enjoy - the message really complements the medium in this case which is probably why his work has become so popular. I doubt he would have the same appeal if his work was executed with oil on canvas, and hung up on a pristine wall inside a Gagosian.
The Scottish graphic design artist has created campaigns for the likes of @LVMH, @Microsoft, @Nike and most recently with @Fendi for their fall winter 18 collection. His work is a classic example of artistic disruption that forces everyone else to rethink their visual communications.
Memes are a great way to share stories but the visual format in which they’re presented is usually very uninspiring to say the least so it’s great to see an artist give them a bit more thought and reinterpret them in a way that can be applied to branding and used as a creative communications strategy.
Media powerhouses like Forbes and industry leading social media solution providers like Social Sprout have published some interesting reads about how you can draw inspiration from memes and apply them in your digital marketing efforts to help better differentiate your content.
@hey_reilly x @Fendi Silvia Venturini speaks!
Fendi‘s creative director @silviaventurinifendi speaking on her collaboration with @hey_reilly for the fashion houses latest collection. Apart from @Gucci and @calvinklein the world of high fashion has really been struggling to talk with this new generation in a new and culturally relevant way so it’s refreshing to see more established brands start reaching out to new artists to help them communicate their vision in a way that’s more in tune with the youth of today.
The fine lines between #postmodernism, #popculture, #branding and #pastiche art 🎨 have never been more interwoven. The definition of what “real” art is just got a whole lot more blurrier and that’s what makes it all the more exciting, the fact that it can’t be confined to something finite and draws inspiration from everything all around us.
In a recent interview with Vogue France @vogueparis when asked about what nourishes his art the Scottish artist responded;
“Absolutely everything, I’m a real magpie, I go to everything. I go to the movies all the time, I go to loads of concerts, I love music, read loads of magazines, I’m never off my phone. I’m constantly making notes, I have notebooks full of ideas, I want more, more and more all the time!”
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About M³C:
M³C (Making Media Move Culture ©) is a digital communications media lab, and a formula for improving the future with stories, and tools rooted in social change and sense making. Founded by Thomas Mofolo in 2016, the lab specialises in project managing digital outreach & advocacy campaigns, Communication for Development (C4D), civic journalism, reparative media, and social innovation.
The lab operates remotely on a fixed-term consultancy basis in collaboration with a network of independent consultants, non-profits, civil society organisations, social movements, activists, and freelance creative talent. Additionally, the lab also doubles as a think tank that produces research related to critical social media pedagogy, and futures literacy for civic transformation.
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