Leviathan

Le Grand Palais, Paris, France

Inspiration can come in many forms. It could be a beautiful painting, the written word or even a funny YouTube video. This spring, inspiration came to me in the form of the ‘Leviathan’.

What’s that you ask? Well, let me tell you.

A few months ago a co-worker and friend, Mark, posted a Facebook link to this year’s Monumenta. For those of you who don’t know (and I didn’t know at the time!!) Monumenta is the indoor art project that fills the vast and très belle hall of the Grand Palais Museum in Paris (France) with a single contemporary work of art for five weeks every spring. The post immediately caught my interest because coincidently, I was in the midst of planning a trip to Paris! The sheer monumental scale of the Grand Palais provided the inspiration for: Monumenta. But, last year’s Monumenta project, by the French artist Christian Boltanski – “heaps of used clothes highlighting the plight of the dispossessed” – didn’t even come close to realizing the possibilities of the 13,500 m2 of space. BTW - I have the same sculpture in my bedroom. 

Monumenta 2010 by Christian Boltanski.

This year’s installation was “Leviathan” by Anish Kapoor, Indian-born, British-based artist and the creator of many contemporary art structures, to name a couple of interest to me: Chicago’s Cloud Gate and the Orbit Tower – currently being built at the 2012 Olympic site. The Orbit Tower is positioned to be London’s version of the Eiffel Tower and to be completed the end of this year. Knowing a bit of Anish’s reputation I knew the Leviathan would not disappoint.

The Orbit Tower under construction.

On May 11, 2011, “Leviathan,” opened to huge amounts of critical and popular praise. Critics likened the piece to a beached whale or giant wombs. But looking at the pictures made me feel that... “I’m-going-to-miss-it-panic” that sets in when hearing about a far-away piece that’s clearly going to become one of those historically, influential works. I get that feeling a lot but this time... off to Paris I flew to actually see it! I had no idea what I was about to experience.

I made my visit to Le Grand Palais on a Sunday night at 11:00 pm. With not a single person in line I paid my 5 Euros and was immediately ushered into a darkened entrance hall, through a doorway into an immense, red womb-like space. I gasped out loud (GOL) in awe and amazement. It was lightly lit through its membrane-like surface which looked soft and almost velvet-like. Looking upward, gaping orifices open out into three unreachable pod-like spaces. I was in the Leviathan... with no sense of the surrounding environment. Maybe it was because it was way past my bedtime but the experience felt meditative and dream-like.
Passing back out into the entrance area, I was directed through another door into the main entrance of the hall where I’m hit and overwhelmed by a gigantic globular rubber structure – the exterior of the Leviathan. Moving through the arches of the Leviathan, I truly felt... antlike, yet far from feeling oppressed. This immense mass before me glowed and whichever way I looked or moved I was hit by some extraordinary new vista and wonderment.
The structure’s central space and three extensions appeared as immense purple rubber spheres projecting into the three parts of the hall, challenging the vaulted greenhouse-like roof and surrounding art nouveau balconies. It was perfect in it’s symmetry and oddly elegant in it’s form. The juxtaposition of the two structures – Le Grand Palais and the Leviathan – was exhilarating and inspiring. Thank you Anish for a once in a life time experience. It was unforgettable.

Of course I took a million pictures... Voilà my 2011 inspiration, the Leviathan. Enjoy.

Monumenta 2011 'Leviathan' by Anish Kapoor
Le Grand Palais, Paris, France
May 11 to June 23, 2011

The bar is now open!

The bar at the newly renovated Market Hall that is... Affectionately named the "BrandHealth Bar" in recognition of a generous $40,000 donation from the partners at BrandHealth - Paul, Chris and Mike.

Officially christened Thursday evening, BrandHealth staffers were hosted by Karen August, Market Hall General Manager, and her team to a private cocktail party and tour. We were impressed to see the bar was well stocked with beer, Malibu Rum and our very own BrandHealth martini!! But, we were even more impressed to see the new venue. One word... WOW! 

I met Karen two years ago as we collaborated on fundraising materials. I remember the office area wallpapered with architectural drawings, plans and wishful thinking... To see it all come to life this week gave me goose bumps. It's truly inspiring to see a community come together to support the arts and I'm so proud that BrandHealth could play a big part in that. Congratulations Karen to you and your team! Your passion and dedication to this worth while cause is contagious! 

For over one hundred years Market Hall has been a Peterborough landmark, first as home to the city’s market and, for the last 25 years, as an arts centre. Located in the heart of downtown Peterborough, it's clocktower marks the corner of George and Charlotte. Just a hop, skip and jump from BrandHealth. To see what's happening at Market Hall check out their calendar of events at http://www.markethall.org/calendar.php

To learn more about the donation read Paul Hickey's blog at http://tiny.cc/0mlul

Photo credit http://tiny.cc/kcpwr 

Here's to another 100 great years at Market Hall, Cheers!!

Kyle's review on the new Color app

“Color Labs in California recently released a Smartphone app that will work with both iPhone and Android phones. With the goal to change the face of social networking, Color has a lot on its plate however it has also had an incredible amount of investments put towards it. With a reported $41 million start up cost and the extra measure of covering all the windows, Color has already established that it means business. So what exactly will this breakthrough app do for consumers and businesses?

Color uses the phones built in GPS to share pictures and videos you take with anyone within 150 feet of you who has the color app as well. According to color labs, the idea behind the app is that it is public and everything will be shared which has many consumers including myself hesitant. Additionally there are few (if any) security features allowing room for potential blackmail, increase in sexting rates, theft, and many other complications. Color also declared that when a picture is added to color’s network it will not leave and becomes the property of color labs. This alone has deterred many users as it has not yet been disclosed why color would need to own the pictures.

Besides Color’s issues it will have an incredible impact on news and historical records. Most likely the reason the photos are saved by Color Labs is to have the pictures for historical information as each photo taken will record the location and time the photo was taken. With thousands if not millions of people use the app everyday as “Color” has predicted, we will also see a rise in citizen based news reporting.

The app also gives businesses the opportunity to display photos of products or sales in order to catch the attention of a nearby shopper. The 150 foot radius allows for the business to attract people who are close to their store which will be a compelling form of advertising. Facebook and other social media websites have allowed for mobile devices to receive advertisements previously but never so accurately and to a target precise audience. 

As a final note about “Color”, founder of Color Labs, Bill Nguyen claims “[he] wants people to begin the debate, do [you] want to live in an open world? Color makes life more like a small town where you share things with your neighbours.” ”

-Kyle, BrandHealth high school intern

My two cents...

Great review Kyle! And, thank you for bringing this app to my attention. The lack of privacy and control for the user is a little creepy and every review I have read completely trashes this app!! Needless to say I had to check it out. I downloaded Color. I signed up as my cat Kurt and took a picture of my cat to share... Sadly, no one else was available to share photos. So, much for being social. Hmmm, this could be a problem.

I looked into the technology of this app and it’s pretty amazing. Where all the social media tools are using GPS location to determine where you are in comparison to others. This app goes even further using your phone’s microphone to match the sounds around you with the sounds around other people. It is also able to analyze objects and lighting within the photos you upload to determine who is located near you. This is stuff from a sci-fi movie... Or CSI. You’ve gotta admit that’s pretty cool technology.

Color may also be the first social app that never requires you to name your friends, list your contacts or follow someone. Instead, it watches your interactions and builds your so-called elastic network of friends based on your real relationships. The result: no more fake digital friendships.

So, let’s give this app a break and fast forward to 5 years from now. To a visual person like myself who likes to post visual diaries on Facebook, I think this app has huge ‘ruling the social media world’ potential. The question is... How do you get everyone to use it??  
Double tap, kill application... Ummm, maybe not quite yet.

A word from Kyle, our BH high school intern

"My name is Kyle Kelly and I recently started a co-op placement with BrandHealth. I was recently accepted to Humber College for the Applied Bachelor of Arts: Creative Advertising Degree program. I saw that BrandHealth could offer me opportunities that I would not have with a regular school program which is why I applied for a placement. 

When I began my placement I had quite high expectations due to BrandHealth winning the employer of the year and I was not let down. I was immediately accepted throughout the business and have had the opportunity to see how the advertising industry works. In the four weeks that I have been with Brand Health I have helped with designing a logo, sat in on meetings, and worked on numerous photo shoots. 

I have also received help and pointers on my own work which has improved my skill with programs such as Photoshop. Because of the nature of the industry I have also been exposed to programs that I would have otherwise not used. I believe that the knowledge of programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Flash will benefit me when I go to school next year as I won’t have to learn as much of the program. 

BrandHealth’s staff is very knowledgeable and easy going which creates a very positive environment to enter as a high school student. The young, fresh approach to advertising is an environment that truly sets that bar for me and over the next few months I expect that I will only gain more Knowledge and skills about the industry as I spend more time with the BrandHealth team."    – Kyle


I’m very pleased that we could offer Kyle this internship at BrandHealth. I’m also happy to hear he is learning a lot from the team. I have to admit, I always hesitate when it comes to high school interships as I never know if we can provide enough challenges to the students in such a limited timeframe. I do hope Kyle can look upon this opportunity as a great learning experience. In a short period of time he has shown maturity and initiative beyond his years. Any task he is given he does well and exceeds expectations. I know he has made himself very valuable to BrandHealth and we are most appreciative of all the work he has done.

So, for the last part of your internship, Kyle... I will be challenging you with creating an internal video from concept to final execution. If you are reading this, come and see me and I will brief you on this project.

we nede A proof reeder.

This is our latest billboard on the 115, heading towards Peterborough. 


The ideal candidate will have experience working in an advertising agency, marketing department or public relations firm. You must possess excellent writing and grammatical skills. Experience in Healthcare and the ability to proof and edit in English and French is an asset. If you are ready to work with some of the best brands, clients and mentors in the industry we want to hear from you.

Purpose of Position:
• Proofreading and copy editing all documents, letters, DVDs and presentations of the company before presenting to clients, before regulatory submissions, and prior to and after layout in studio
• Proofreading all subsequent copy changes
• Proofreading all layouts and subsequent changes made to them
• Making corrections to all copy documents and clearly track all changes
• Proofreading all French translations before text is flowed into layout
• Comparing English copy to French translation for accuracy of language and to make sure copy has not been missed
• Making sure copy changes to English are reflected in French
• Creating copy documents as required
• Copyediting all of the above and provide suggestions for improvement where appropriate
• Communicating with translators as required
• Communicating with copywriters as required


Definitions:

Proofreading assures the accuracy of the documents, advertisements, DVDs, Power Point presentations, etc. produced by BrandHealth. Proofreading includes checking for correct spelling, trademark symbols, reference and cross-reference ordering, symbol usage and logo usage/placement. It also includes looking for typographical errors, copy/paste errors, correct layout alignment and breaks. A proofreader must also compare French to English copy and layouts to make sure they match.

Copyediting assures the quality, clarity and accuracy of the copy produced by BrandHealth, the client and the copywriters (in-house or freelance). This includes editing for grammar, spelling and punctuation, checking for consistency (language and facts). In situations where translation of copy is required, a bilingual copy editor compares the accuracy of French translations to original English copy.

If you or someone you know might be interested in applying, please forward a cover letter and CV to careers@brandhealth.ca

Good luck!! 

Another BH thank you lunch? You betcha

I know I compliment everyone every chance I get, for the work that you do here at BrandHealth, but there is so much more that we – your managers - and the partners are thankful for that isn’t printed, programmed, proofed or presented. (Ooohhhh, I think I feel a list coming on...) 


3 things that BHers do that we are thankful for

Thank you for all your sacrifices. Taking personal time away from friends and family to get the job done, on time and done well. I know it is not always easy to do and as your manager I will always do what I can to work around your lives. But, when you do make that decision to put work first, we know it is a big sacrifice and we are so very appreciative.

Thank you for always pushing beyond your limits whether it is creatively or strategically, mentally or physically. We all have our limits and there are many times we are exhausted. Yet time and time again I see you reach beyond and bring more and more to the team. I see you stepping up to help others when you yourself are already carrying a heavy workload. We know BrandHealth standards are high but you never fail to meet them. Your dedication goes beyond what most jobs call for and what most people are capable of but we want you to know it does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for being smart, talented, fun, honest, caring and passionate people. Our days are filled with tight deadlines and stressful situations but you make it such a pleasure to work here. Without you this company wouldn’t be as successful as it is. As a manager I can’t begin to tell you what a privilege it is to work with such a talented and dedicated group of people. Please don’t think I don’t appreciate every minute dedicated to meeting our clients’ demands. To your friends and family, I can’t possibly expect them to understand why you are working on the weekend or coming home in the wee hours of the night. But, please give them a big thank you too!

On behalf of management at BrandHealth, this lunch was to all the great people who worked on making our clients’ National Sales Meetings a big success. ANOTHER thank you lunch? Yes. Honestly, we just don’t think we can thank everyone enough. This lunch was dedicated to you. Thank you... Wings and beer!! Cheers!!

My personal infographic

Create your own info graphics  http://www.ionz.com.br/index.html

They built an info graph that is a simplified map of my personality and represents my relation in the universe of people that have also participated. Answer nine questions and ionz will create your own Personal Infograph, showing how you compare to everyone else who has also answered the questions. You can then personalize your infograph by changing the colors, adding a personal message, change the layout, change the background color and add a picture. Then you can save the image as your wallpaper. Fun!