I recently came across a rather humorous yet slightly disturbing ad on the internet. It apparently is a German AIDS awareness ad that in my opinion got a little too creative with the delivery of their message.
I'm sorry if you feel that your eyes have been assaulted. Although I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this I also felt a bit discontented. I understand how useful shock value is when trying to get an important message across yet I don't find this to be an effective method. The shock from the image itself distracts largely from its message. Is such an obscene and sexually graphic ad appropriate for this type of cause or do you think using drastic imagery is a good way to get people to remember the message?
I don't feel that the ad is truly speaking to its cause. In fact, I had to scroll up again to double check the inscription, "Aids is a Mass Murderer". Instead we are, yes, assaulted by the shocking image of Hitler groping this female. In fact, the most disturbing thing about the photo is that the woman being touched almost seems like she's enjoying this murderous pleasure, rather than trying to escape the terribly creepy grip of Hitler's. She is attractive and fit, her lips are parted, her eyes are closed... she is being completely sexualized in an ad that, to some extent, is trying to discourage (... unhealthy... unprotected) sexual behavior. Aids are, in a way, glamorized in this ad.
I couldn't help, but smile myself as I read over your description and saw the picture. I would agree that in a sense they are using shock to remind the audience how dangerous AIDS are, considering hitler is pretty scary. What if the ad isn't supposed to be shock art though and instead the idea that teens will find it amusing and share it with one another like you have done. I would agree that there is a slight style of shock art here, but I would look further into the sight of the image. Something seeming so bizarre that you don't forget it. It's like when a commercial makes a bad jingle. Although you might hate the song, you don't forget it. I think that you picked a great example of showing the way gender is separated. The add is considering a very serious topic, however look at the way Hitler's emotions are shown on his face. In my opinion, it's creepy and almost makes the woman look badly because there isn't any pleasure in the sex anymore. Yes the passing of AIDS is not pleasurable I'm sure, I just believe that the woman almost seems like she is getting "dominated." By using this position instead of another Hitler seems to have complete control and could possibly portray a small hint of how men feel they need power over women. Lastly, I would consider this ad to be an effective one because it caught my attention, reminded me about the dangers of AIDS, and then was designed in a way that made me want to show other friends and have them join in the amusement.
I agree that the image itself distracts from the message. In fact, I had to scroll up again to read the inscription, "Aids is a mass murderer". I find it disturbing that the woman in this image is highly sexualized... thin, attractive, slightly parted lips, and eyes closed; it's as if she's enjoying this vile act. In a way, this ad glamorizes the issue of aids, instead of raising awareness and concern. Is it necessary for advertisements to include the appeal of sex, even when it has nothing to do with their message? This ad seems to boast this idea, however inappropriate it may seem.
I can agree a little bit with both sides of the issue. I was inclined to share this ad because of its strong imagery but also I feel like I paid a lot more attention to the image than to the message. Another thing I would like to point out is that one of the woman's nipples is visible and that Hitler's hand is clearly between her legs. That turns what is supposed to be an AIDS awareness ad into strange, soft-core porn.
This image is crazy. At first glance, I thought it was just a quickly Photoshopped picture. When I realized it was an actual advertisement to spread AIDS awareness, I was definitely surprised because of how crude and terrifying this image is. For me, it doesn't speak "AIDS awareness". It looks like someone was making a tasteless joke that turned into an AIDS awareness poster. I am extremely creeped out by Hitler's eyes, too.