Tuesday 16 February 2010

Customs House Square, advertisement

This Volkswagen kombi is being used for a promotion at Quay Bar, an outdoor bar in Customs House Square, near the tigers featured yesterday. The kombi van became a major counterculture symbol during the hippie era. Many featured hand-painted or air-brushed murals that made a statement about the era with their brilliant art work. At first, I thought this was an inspired art creation to celebrate Chinese New Year, in the Year of the Tiger based on an idea borrowed from an idyllic time, but then I realised this was actually just another way for a corporation to advertise a product, in his case a brand of beer.

40 comments:

  1. It certainly brings back memories of another time!

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  2. these make me laugh now...i remember when they were so popular...can't believe they seem so old fashioned now...my dh's friend has a westfalia which were the combi in europe when i was living there. it's the corniest van.

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  3. Fun photo of that yellow/orange VW camping van! I just wonder what year model it was?

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  4. When I was young my mother drove a blue kombi to collect country kids to and from school. It was specially fitted out with enough seats for little bums. I always look upon them with affection.

    This is such an unusual shot for your blog. I had to do a shake of the old head!

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  5. Yes, this is a bit different from the usual architecture and landmarks that I feature. When I saw this kombi, I thought it was something unusual that needed to be recorded somewhere. Just thought I'd mix it up a bit here to keep things interesting. :)

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  6. I love the old VW vans. Many years ago I so wanted one, but it didn't happen. That's a really nice example, even if ironically it serves a capitalist master now.

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  7. Oh I love this picture. We used to have one many many years go.

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  8. I love it, wonderful colours and, being a Singaporean beer, it fits very well with the Chinese New Year. You should branch out more often.

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  9. Wow! That did bring back memories and a great laugh! Nothing like a glance at the past! Terrific for the day!

    Sylvia

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  10. I never see vans like these anymore, but I used to back home. That one sure is bright!

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  11. Why am I expecting the Scooby Doo gang to jump out of there any minute.

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  12. JBar: That is neat, you don't see those VW Van's around much any more.

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  13. It's certainly eye-catching, whatever its purpose. And it fits in with the Chinese New Year very well.

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  14. Reminds me of my old hippie days!!!

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  16. Like Lois said: it brings back memories. And it certainly draws attention.

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  17. Not a bad way to advertise! It will catch your attention in several ways, not the least because of the color!

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  18. wow, its styling, looks like a fun ride and nice colors too, can i have a ride????

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  19. Great idea for advertisement with eye-catching colour and great art work. Love it. Great shot!

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  20. Brings back fond memories of when I was growing up. A great campaign, I think!

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  21. Great photograph. The advertising industry can co-opt anything it seems.

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  22. That sure looks an effective way to advertise.

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  23. That's funny!! At first it reminded me of Eugene OR (the city near where we have been staying until recently), because it is rather famous for being sort of a throw back to the "hippie" 60s and such vans are still pretty commonly seen around town. But not used as advertising.

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  24. Occasionally over her you see a couple of kids in a painted kombi, looking like they need a bath. Mind you, it wasn't so long ago when I was On the Bus too! Nice shot. Greetings from Italy via MyWorld!

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  25. I enjoyed the architecture, liked the tigers and love this VW.

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  26. Those vans have a long history of being cool and they still are. Nice paint job.

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  27. its like flower power all over again. what a groovy contribution to my world. :)

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  28. Well it fits in with the Chinese New Year theme. Great colours.

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  29. I love the VW kombi! This one is stunning!

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  30. Terrific to see the old VW kombi being put to good use.

    We toured around NZ in one about 15 years ago. Great vehicle. :)

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  31. cool vehicle J! Similarly styled and jazzed Cabbie-oke cabs are also doing the rounds in Sydney..I found out some interesting vids on YouTube as well.. take a look!

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  32. If that is an advertising on that van, it is quite subtle. I do like the art work.

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  33. Lots of nostalgia around VW vans. With advertising it's clear the times they are a changing. Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.

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