If you're a person who sees Mickey Mouse as a corporate symbol instead of a lovable children's cartoon, then these Boney Toons sculptures are right up your alley.
Created by the talented artist Johannes Baptista Ludwig, Boney Toons is supposed to represent the way corporations have used these cartoon idols in shameless and abusive manners to the point where Ludwig can no longer see them as simply adorable creations.
These sculptures resemble cadavers so much they've surpassed my bizarreness threshold. Artful they may be, but that doesn't mean they don't totally creep the snot out of me.
Implications - Consumers appreciate products with cognitive elements because it forces them to engage with the item for extended periods of time, which in turn establishes a stronger bond between consumer and product. Corporations should similarly look to engage consumers on an intellectual level in order to establish long-standing customer relationships.
Corrupted Cartoon Sculptures
Boney Toons Strips Children's Classics of Their Innocence
Trend Themes
1. Subversive Sculptures - There is a growing demand for art that challenges mainstream media and conventions, creating opportunities for artists to disrupt traditional themes and subject matter.
2. Cognitive Products - Products that encourage consumers to engage with them on an intellectual or emotional level create stronger brand loyalty and longer customer relationships. Companies can innovate in this area by incorporating storytelling and symbolism into their products.
3. Anti-corporate Critique - Consumers are becoming more aware of corporations that exploit popular culture for profit, and are seeking alternatives that challenge the mainstream narrative. Opportunities exist for companies to create and market products that appeal to this alternative audience.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Sculpture - Artists and sculptors who challenge traditional subject matter and themes can disrupt conventional expectations and create new markets for their work, such as anti-corporate or subversive art.
2. Entertainment and Media - Companies that incorporate intellectual or emotional elements, such as symbolism or storytelling, into their products can create stronger connections with consumers, and offer alternatives to the mainstream narrative of the industry.
3. Consumer Goods and Retail - Companies that market products that offer alternatives to mainstream culture can appeal to audiences seeking anti-corporate or subversive products, creating new markets and revenue streams.