I work in advertising, possibly the only industry where the overwhelming majority of the output is utter cack. That said, good work does occasionally get through. Work that makes you think a little harder, that maybe even moves you and that communicates its message persuasively and effectively.

Here are two of my favourite commercials of recent years:

The angle at which the stork inclines its head in the Monster ad is heartbreaking. It’s just an ad for a recruitment site but it’s artful in its own right.

Mr Smoliansky’s work is new to me. The compendium ‘One Picture at a Time‘ contains his most accomplished photographs, many of which feel rather underwhelming initially but gradually draw you in.

Leafing through this book was a hypnotic experience. Even where there is movement in his images, one’s overall impression is of a world in slow-motion, shuffling toward oblivion.

#gunnar smoliansky

Work took me to California for a brief trip last week. We were out in Desert Springs and spending our days at the tennis in Indian Wells.

It’s a strange, dislocating area. The towns bleed into each other, indistinguishable and featureless. Big box stores and country clubs. A life of odd artifice facilitated by Mexicans.

There’s a couple more pics here.

#california #indian wells #tennis #travel