“The idea is simple, the result is stunning.”
“Starting in November of 2001, I have been taking a picture of myself every day and I haven’t stopped yet.”
(Ahree Lee)
Me, by Ahree Lee. Music by Nathan Melsted.

“The question is, what is a Mahna Mahna?”
“The question is, who cares?”

The Mahna Mahna song (Piero Umiliani, 1968).

Performed by Mahna Mahna and the Snowths, (The Ed Sullivan Show, 1969). From Google Video.

See also:

song history on Wikipedia,
lyrics on poppyfields.net,
audio (mp3) on latke.net,
video (mpeg) on mahnahmahna.net.

– “What’s the message of your videos?” – “Up to you. I’m just dancing.”

Where the Hell is Matt?. By Matt Harding, “that guy who dances on the internet”.

Above: Dancing (2006), opening sequence. Location: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.

Music: Sweet Lullaby by Deep Forest.

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“Pubblicità Progresso* is a non-profit association established in 1971 with a view to giving voice to people’s moral, civil and educational problems. Since then, Pubblicità Progresso has carried out 30 social campaigns.”.

Respect other’s opinion
(Bates Italia agency, 1973)

– Nobody has ever dared to contradict me. I’m great.
– Hey. You aren’t great. You are alone.
“Respect who doesn’t think like you.”.

If you listen you grow
(FCB Italia agency, 2001)

“The words of the others can enrich us. Listen to them.”.

Let’s improve ourselves
(ODG agency, 1995)

– Listen, have you read many books this year?
– No. No one, actually.
– Then, newspapers?
– Uhm…newspapers…no, I didn’t.
– Perhaps some course? Say English, computer?
– No. You know, lack of time…
– Then, what are you doing?
– Nothing.
– Nothing. But have you realized what you’re doing?
– It’s true. But from tomorrow things will change.
“Cultivate more interests. It’s your interest.”.

Above: “That mad says that two plus two doesn’t make four. What if he wasn’t mad?”, wallpaper detail.
(ODG agency, 1973)

*Meaning: advertising-progress
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The National Archives present: Public Information Films. “In 1973 the incomprehensible pronouncements from a ginger cat named Charley warned children against strangers, matches, water safety and other everyday perils.”. (Charley In The Kitchen) “The Central Office of Information produce a wide range of information campaigns designed to inform the public on a huge range of issues which affect their daily lives, such as health, welfare, education and rights.”.

British humour included.
See, for example, The Fatal Floor (1974).

Further material on the Andrew Wisemans’s Television Room* (aka 625.uk.com). A must see.

Above: Charley – Strangers (1973), frame.
Material subject to Crown Copyright, ©The National Archives.

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It flows through my veins
It sleeps in my tears
It leaks from my ears
Heart and kidneys are motors

Petrol

Benzin (Rammstein, 2005) . Industrial metal.

Translation © Jeremy Williams. Extract from Herzeleid, the number one source for Rammstein.
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