Whirligigs in Wilson

Vollis Simpson has become famous for his amazing whirligigs – whimsical constructions with myriad figures, shapes, and colors, all mechanically wind-powered.  Now in his 90s, Mr. Simpson still actively builds and maintains his creations.  But even for a man of his considerable capability, keeping up with 30+ large and aging clockwork machines/artworks is a bigger task.  So the city of Wilson, NC has set out to create a whirligig park, to preserve and display these terrific creations, and celebrate in an enduring way Mr. Simpson’s accomplishments.  Work has already begun, and I was privileged to see it in process.

Last week I visited Wilson, NC at the invitation of the Economic Development Office and Janet Kagan of Public Art Collaborative.  Not only is Wilson conserving and restoring the whirligigs, they are creating an “industrial artisan” community in the center of town, right around the whirligig park-to-be.  They will foster the development of creative skills, and projects/companies which are creatively focused (and make sizable stuff).  So, we’re talking about whether Spotlight can contribute.

I think it would be fairly mind-expanding to design and fabricate Spotlight Solar prototypes right across the street from this…

Here is a lovely video as well (8 min., so I didn’t embed).

Will work for food

I recently founded a marketing consultancy, Inventive Branding, with three accomplished colleagues.  One of our first clients is a marketing firm in Singapore called 6-Shooter, led by my friend, Yeo Ai Ling, and a partner.  Ai Ling asked our help in positioning 6-Shooter vs. agencies in Southeast Asia.

Among other things, I suggested a tagline to 6-Shooter, based on their principals’ predilections, and their name:  “dangerously effective marketing.”  The Crispin Porter + Bogusky of Singapore.  Like Inventive Branding, 6-Shooter knows that courageously distinctive marketing yields greater return on investment.

My favor-to-a-friend price:  Singaporean chilli crab.  If you’ve enjoyed this in Singapore at an outdoor restaurant with cold beer and plenty of napkins, you know its estimable value.

A package arrived today with all manner of Singaporean yummies.  Wisely, 6-Shooter followed the advice of the fish mongers in not mailing frozen crabs from a city near the equator to Chapel Hill in summer.  But they sent plenty of chilli sauce for use on North Carolina crabs.  They also sent a wide variety of other SE Asian specialties.  I was reminded of the importance of language sensibilities in international marketing when reading the label on one package.

I warned my 13 year old daughter not to hog the stuff, and to share generously with her sisters.

Other food I might work for:  Szechuan spicy fish, Abbott’s chocolate almond frozen custard, Zweigle’s white hots, and anything from Frontera Grill in Chicago.

Looney Tunes are essential to child development

Do your kids recognize Wagner or Rachmaninov themes?  Do they have a grounding in post-WWII culture and politics?  Do they understand the tensions between American crassness, and the refined, more ancient mannerisms of Europeans?  Can they quote, “That creature has stolen the Aludium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator!” in the correct falsetto?  If not, then your kids are going to be working for my kids one day.

Wait!  Before you write angry comments or click the Back button, it’s not too late.  You too can invest in your children’s future, as I have.

Simply order at least two of the four-DVD Looney Tunes Golden Collections, and start looking up the definitions of perspicacious, jocose, and sagacity to use in your holiday brag update letters.

While your little Cindy Lu Who stares open-mouthed at parodies of opera, or shrieks with glee any time Daffy Duck gets his bill shot sideways by Elmer Fudd, she will be developing advantageous knowledge.  Witness…

Cold War dynamics, not to mention adult one-up-man-ship:

Russian circus bear (apply Russian accent): “Oh ya?!  I will dive 5000 feet into a block of cement…on my head yet!”  Bugs:  “Hey, that’s a pretty good trick, doc.  But I’ll go first.”  When the Russian hits the cement block, the hazards of military threat escalation become apparent.

The cost of war…

Sam:  “I’m going to blast you to smithereenies!” Later…“I’m a Hessian, without no more aggression.”  The white flag means surrender.  Your kid is ready for honors history class and will know when to fold ‘em in Yo’ Mama insult joke fights.

More…

Large, loud Rooster, hiding in a bin:  “Heh, I say…heh, heh.   That boy will have to use a slide rule to find me in here.”  Your kid now realizes that computers did not exist at one point, and that some people can do math without pushing buttons.  Later, after being found (impossibly) in an entirely different place:  “But, but Boy!  I’m over there!…Nah, I better not look.  I just might be in there!”  The theory of multiple parallel universes!  And Descartes’ philosophy of “I’ve been dug up, therefore I am.”

From Bugs Bunny’s misdirected trip to Scotland, one learns about other places and people of the world, e.g.,…

1) golf is big in Scotland,  2) they speak differently there,  3) there are bagpipes and kilts on men (which Americans feel strangely about), 4) a good score in golf is a low one, 5) auctions sometimes create unwary victims, 6) there are La Brea Tar Pits in California, 7) rabbits tunnel underground for long distances.  A treasure trove.  In other episodes, you can also learn all manner of ethnic stereotypes prevalent 50 years ago (and posit associated modern day sensitivities).

The importance of proper use of language…

Rabbit:  “Do you want to shoot me now, or wait ‘til you get home?”  Duck: “Oh no you don’t!  I demand that you shoot me now!”  Blam!  Duck:  “Ah ha.  Pronoun trouble.”

The art of film…

Daffy’s transporting homage to Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood (“Yoikes and away!”) manifests the Golden Age of movies, without exposing your dear one  to Errol’s 1938 standard, and reveals to her the stylistic continuum running from there, through Looney Tunes, to The Princess Bride’s man in black, which I’m sure is de rigeur in top film schools.

I could go on and on.

Seriously, sit down a few Saturday mornings with your kids and some Looneys.  Explain what they are seeing and hearing.  They will learn about music, history, culture, politics, geography, smart humor, and the legitimate value of good ol’ slapstick.  They will even sing with you… “Kiwl da wabbit!”

And that’s all that I wrote for you…TA HAVE!

(points for the first to ID that last reference)

Here, you can have it.

This blog is for you. While it is tempting to think of attracting readers through means of amusement or intrigue or cleverness, I will instead offer this blog as a gift.

All gifts are transactions. The giver considers what the recipient may desire, need, or at least tolerate. Then, some effort is made. The recipient decides first whether to receive the gift at all. Upon receiving it, he will evaluate it, use it, perhaps rid himself of it, and maybe give it to someone else. I hope you will receive it, because it will not be a gift unless you do.

I have thoughts about what would make a good gift, but surprises are often the best blessings.

If you are one of those people who likes to shake the box, here are some hints: Brand and Design; The Importance of Looney Tunes To Child Development; Install Your Aesthetic Compass with Japanese Gardens; How to Make a Death Swing; Marketing of “Commodities”; Philosophy of Faith; Advanced Sledding Techniques.