Shopdropping
Also known as reverse shoplifting, shopdropping describes the act of sneaking specifically marked items into a shop and placing them on display. This technique can be used for public art, to promote political views or advertise your services. In grocery stores, the labels on canned goods are replaced with art motives. T-Shirts with political messages are smuggled into normal retail outlets and cleaver fitness trainers place their business cards in weight-loss books. :) Here is a video of talking about shopdropping near the holidays when the average consumer is consumed with shopping and filling those stockings underneath the tree. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcNXwOUvFHO I feel like this form of culture jamming gives the average person an opportunity to express themselves on a smaller more "doable" level. Whether its toward a specific product, company or simple making a statement about consumerism and how consumers are blind or don't think about the bigger picture. In 1989 Barbie liberation organization swapped voiceboxes of 300 Barbie dolls to those of GI Joes to show the point of sexism in children's toys. Shopdropping can be a political/activist statement or can even be simple artwork that one gets free with purchase with the product of their choice. Urban Outfitters shopdrop video http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Di5q1FqFSynk Great company that is a non-profit organization that supports and works to not only include messages to the public but remove billboards that are offensive. www.antiadvertisingagency.com I was pleased and encouraged to see this form of culture jamming, it is something different and seems like it would make a bigger impact to one or two people on a smaller level. Bakerella |
Ever cool! I Agree that ‘this form of culture jamming gives the average person an opportunity to express themselves on a smaller more "doable" level’. When answering my own blogger group’s question about weather or not culture jamming is an effective feminist tool or not, I had said that yes it was because its yet another way for people to get their voice herd. There is no single technique that everyone feels comfortable using, so the combination of techniques is best. This ‘shopdropping’ tool sounds like another great way to contribute to the movement. Even if its one can on a shelf you are still able to share your own opinion with society. I think this is harmless way for people to communicate their desire for social quality. The shopdropping may catch someone off guard and end up really resonating with them. Throwing your opinion into every day activities like shopping makes your act unavoidable. It just takes one person to like what you’re saying and then it can grow from there, maybe turn it into something even more noticeable. Getting the message out there in as many ways as possible is the only way to gain what women are fighting for. Give them no choice but to realize the poor portrayal of women in mass media today!
ReplyDelete-Goldilocks
Yeah - and shopdropping really takes the anti-corporate message to the consumer heart. Great finds. I had trouble linking to the videos, but I was able to do a search on YouTube for them.
ReplyDeleteThe Doctor