Category:
1960s

Subversive Coca-Cola Bottles

In 1965, thousands of sealed Coca-Cola bottles containing "subversive bulletins" were found floating off the coast of the Northern Celebes.

Miami Herald - July 30, 1965



I can't find any information about who was responsible for this strange act of subversion. But it recalls a later subversive use of Coca-Cola bottles by the Brazilian artist Cildo Meireles.

It was during the 1970s when used glass bottles would be returned and refilled. Meireles would modify the bottles before returning them by adding white text on the side showing messages such as "Yankees Go Home" or instructions for turning the bottle into a Molotov cocktail.

As the bottle progressively empties of dark brown liquid, the statement printed in white letters on a transparent label adhering to its side becomes increasingly invisible, only to reappear when the bottle is refilled for recirculation.

More info: Beach Branding and Packaging Design

Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 07, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Art, Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 1960s, 1970s

The Singing Sculpture

The Singing Sculpture by the art duo Gilbert & George is well known, though I just discovered it recently. Info from wikipedia:

Whilst still students, Gilbert & George made The Singing Sculpture, which was performed at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in 1969 and at the Nigel Greenwood Gallery in 1970. For this performance they covered their heads and hands in multi-coloured metalised powders, stood on a table, and sang along and moved to a recording of Flanagan and Allen's song "Underneath the Arches", sometimes for a day at a time. The suits they wore for this became a uniform for them. They rarely appear in public without wearing them.

It is also unusual for one of the pair to be seen without the other. The pair regard themselves as "living sculptures". They refuse to dissociate their art from their everyday lives, insisting that everything they do is art. They were listed as among the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian in March 2013.



It's now become common to see street performers painted in metallic paint. They pretend to be unmoving statues until someone gives them some money, and then they may move abruptly. You can find them in the downtown areas of many big cities, wherever there are a lot of tourists.

I wonder if Gilbert & George's Singing Sculpture was the original inspiration for this form of performance art? I haven't been able to find any direct confirmation of this, but nor have I been able to find any examples of 'Bronze Man' performers before 1969.

More info: "Gilbert & George's Singing sculpture"

Posted By: Alex - Fri Aug 30, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Performance Art, 1960s

In three weeks he may be dead…

Look at Bambi lying in a field. Bambi will be dead soon.

Sports Illustrated - July 1970



Coincidentally, this ad appeared within a year of the release of the classic animated short "Bambi Meets Godzilla." Perhaps the ad men had seen Marv Newland's film. Newland went into advertising after making his film, so it's at least possible.

Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 28, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Advertising, Cartoons, 1960s, 1970s

Atomic Car



Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 27, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s, Europe, Cars

A Woman’s Perspiration

Anatomical horror from the advertising industry:

You are a woman under your arms. Newly awakened glands there give off a woman's perspiration. The kind that offends.

This new kind of perspiration breaks out when you're taking an exam. When you're going to a party. When you're dating him.


American Girl - July 1963



American Girl - Sep 1964

Posted By: Alex - Sun Aug 25, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Advertising, 1960s, Women, Perfume and Cologne and Other Scents

Your Road to Employment

Looking for a new job? This record will get you one! (As a Nash Rambler salesman.). The player is below.





Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 25, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Jobs and Occupations, Self-help Schemes, Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, 1960s

Man freed from vat of anchovies

Trapping himself in a vat of anchovies should be David Blaine's next stunt.

Lancaster New Era - Oct 11, 1969

Posted By: Alex - Thu Aug 22, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Accidents, Fish, 1960s

Three Strange Florida Oranges Commercials

Sportswriter is composing his column in locker room, communicates directly with distant housewife.



Advertising icon is implicitly happy with having her head sliced open and its juice extracted.



Were Western Union workers really given OJ breaks?

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 22, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Advertising, Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 1950s, 1960s

Follies of the Madmen #602

Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 09, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Art, Domestic, Hygiene, Advertising, Historical Figure, 1960s

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Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

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