Topical musing of the now.

I was recently watching a documentary on the First World War and it occurred to me that wars don't have their own taglines.

Granted WW1 was often referred to as "The war to end all wars", not exactly the most accurate of lines. And in some parts of the south, the U.S. Civil War is provocatively called, "The war of northern aggression". But what about the other major wars throughout history? What taglines would best suit them?

• Second Messenian War (685 BC - 668 BC) - New war. Same result.
• Battle of Alesia (52 BC) - The mauling of the Gaul.
• Battle of Chalons (451) - Run Hun Run.
• Saxon Wars (772 -804) - It wasn't a good time to be a Saxon.
• Battle of Hastings (1066) - How William became The Conqueror.
• Hundred Years War (1337 - 1453) - More time meant more killing.
• Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1604) - Battle of the Armadas. 
• English Civil War (1642 - 1651) - Civility was the last thing on their minds.   
• The Seven Years War (1756 - 1763) - The actual first world war.
• American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) - USA! USA! USA!
• Battle of Trafalgar (1805) - Hooray for Horatio.
• First Anglo-Chinese War (1839 - 1842) - The war for drugs.
• Crimea War (1853 - 1856) - It's all about Florence.
• Franco/Prussian War (1870 - 1871) - French fried.
• Second World War (1939 - 1945) - Hell hath no fury like a German scorned.
• Vietnam War (1955 - 1975) - Charlie's War.
• Soviet/Afghan War (1979 - 1989) - Another super power bites the dust.
• Falklands War (1982) - Don't mess with Maggie.
• Iran/Iraq War (1980 - 1988) - Battle of the Towelheads.
• Bosnian War (1992 - 1995) - Some people give war a bad name.

Brain-teaser Monday.

In honor of Memorial Day, today's brain-teaser has a military theme. The branches of the U.S. Military have adopted some memorable recruiting slogans over the years. "Be All That You Can Be" and "The Few. The Proud. The Marines", are probably the most famous.

Here is a list of current and former recruitment slogans. Match them with the branch of the U.S. Military they were coined for.

• Army Strong.
• Cross Into The Blue.
• Born Ready.
• First To Fight.
• A Global Force For Good.
• Doing The Most Good.

• U.S. Army
• U.S Coast Guard
• U.S. Navy
• U.S. Air Force
• U.S. Marine Corps.

Answer to last week's brain-teaser: 1966 (Geoff Hurst); 1974 (Johan Cruyff); 1978 (Rob Rensenbrink); 1982 (Harald Schumacher); 1986 (Diego Maradona); 1990 (Roberto Baggio); 1998 (David Beckham); 2006 (Zinadine Zidane)

Submay: Mayakovskaya

Final stop. Mayakovskaya Station, Moscow.

Are there no ugly stations on the Moscow Metro? Probably not. And just maybe Maykovskaya is the most beautiful of the beautiful. It was opened in 1938 and is part of the Zamoskvoretskaya Line.

It was named after the Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and is considered one of the finest examples of pre-World War II Stalinist Architecture. It is also the first station in the world to feature colonnades on both sides.

Mayakovskaya is one of a number of Moscow stations designed by Alexey Dushkin. He didn't hold back. There are rows of columns made of pink rhodonite, stainless steel, marble and white Ufaley. The floors and walls are finished in four different shades of marble and granite, while the ceiling features 35 mosaics, known as the "24 Hour Soviet Sky".

Mayakovskaya was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Not that Dushkin was overly joyed. "Mayakovskaya could have been more impressive. We failed to materialize all design plans", he is reported to have said later. Picky picky picky.

(Credit to markthomasphotos.com)

Submay: Olaias

This stop. Olaias Station, Lisbon.

Olaias was opened in 1998 and is part of the Red Line on the Lisbon Metro. The Red Line which probably has the most striking stations on the metro was opened in 1998 to coincide with the Expo.

Olaias was designed by architect Tomás Taveira in collaboration with a group of fellow Portuguese artists and sculptures. For lovers of contemporary art it may be the most beautiful station in the world. 

(Credit to metrobits.org)

Submay: Rathaus-Spandau

This stop. Rathaus-Spandau Station, Berlin.

Rathaus-Spandau was opened in 1984 and is terminus station on U7 Line of the U-Bahn Berlin. Which reminds me, whatever happened to Spandau Ballet? Like just about all the stations on the U-Bahn opened between the mid-sixties and early nineties, it was designed by Rainer G. Rümmler.

Rümmler is one of the more interesting architects associated with metro stations in that he has evolved his style over time. When he started out in the sixties his designs were very Minimalist. 

By the seventies, his stations became colorful expressions of "Pop Art", while his latest designs reflect a more Postmodernist style. Rathaus-Spandau is probably his showpiece postmodernist station.

(Credit to metrobits.org)

Submay: Arts et Métiers

This stop. Arts et Métiers Station, Paris.

And the award for best literary adaption goes to....Arts et Metiers was originally opened in 1904 as part of Line 3 on the Paris Metro. A second line (Line11) was added in 1935. It is located below the Musée des Arts et Métiers, a museum dedicated to the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions.

But it was the complete redesign of the station in 1994 that makes it stand out as one of the most surreal stations in the world.

The task of redesigning the station fell to the Belgian comic artist François Schuiten. To evoke the science-themed collection in the museum above the station, Schuiten created a copper, submarine-like interior as an homage to the author, inventor and all round science guy, Jules Verne. 

(Credit to businessweek.com)

Submay: De La Concorde

Next stop. De La Concorde Station, Montreal.

De La Concord was opened in 2007 and is part of the Orange Line on the Montreal Metro. It may be one of the smallest and least used on the metro, but it is unquestionably one of the most striking.

The entrance to the station has a glass cylindrical structure that is reminiscent of the "Fosterito" metro entrances in Bilbao. Norman Foster, however, had nothing to do with De La Concord. The architect of record is André Marcotte.

 (Credit to wikipedia.org)

submay: Solna Centrum

This stop. Solna Centrum, Stockholm.

The distinctively red Solna Centrum is part of the magical Blue Line on the Stockholms Tunnelbana. It was opened in 1975 and actually serves Solna Municipality about five kilometers north of Stockholm. It is also the home station for Råsunda Stadium, where the Swedish national football team plays.

The Tunnelbana is a treasure trove of art. In fact it is often referred to as the world's longest art gallery. Solna Centrum's artwork is steeped in social consciousness. Many of the installations are themed around environmental issues. Yes, the environment was a big issue back in the 70's too. 

(Credit to kynerd.com)

The "Make it Happen" Challenge.

Time to "Make it Happen", the crowd-sourcing challenge to see if my big ideas can come to fruition thanks to the rich community of creatives, writers, artists, designers, inventors, scientists, architects, pharmacologists, techies, provocateurs, ethicists, military contractors, etc.

MIH Brief 009

OBJECTIVE:

Plot a new career path for the soon to be ex-FreeCreditReport Band.

Check this out for more background, but to surmise, the financially inept, "love to hate" band in the FreeCreditReport.com ads have been dropped. The financial company is looking for a new band to sing a whole new initiative for them.

It's a sudden end to to an incredulous gig for the Montreal native "musicians". It all started three years ago and since then they've created images and sounds that will surely haunt us for the rest of our lives. Who can forget their "Pirates of Pity" jam. The "Roller coaster" sing along left a whole audience ready to hurl along with them. And the "Twits in Tights" routine at the Renaissance Fair...well it really doesn't need any more explanation.

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote "There are no second acts in American lives". How can we prove him dead wrong (we've got the dead part down) by creating a golden future for the FreeCreditReport Band.

THOUGHT STARTERS:

  -  Let's get the obvious thought out of the way first. Is there any merit to creating a Facebook campaign to persuade FreeCreditReport.com to reinstate the band. (This may be a really tough sell given that FCR will be incorporating social media to find their new band.)
  -  What about other potential advertising gigs? What other appropriate brands could they sing for? Monster.com seems like an ideal partner. Theladders.com may be out of their range though.
  -  Or perhaps they could become the "House band" for a financial related TV show. For example, "The Suze Orman Show" on CNBC.
  -  Reinvention usually starts with a new band name, and new image. What names could break through the clutter and capture the public's imagination? Here are a few possible examples: The Broken Legs; Pre-Approved; Are you kidding me; The Furry Parts; Born Out Of Wedlock.
  -  Perhaps the band needs to start playing real gigs to build up an audience base. How do we can get them onto the wedding, bar mitzvah and advertising industry party circuit?
  -  "American Idol" has a vacancy at the judging position. The band would seem to be ideal candidates, especially given that the producers of the show have lately been employing judges with no real music talent (Ellen Degeneres).

   -  The aforementioned Ellen Degeneres has just started her own record label. Her first signing is some kid with a youtube hit, proving she is a music executive with no taste levels whatsoever. Surely it couldn't be that hard to get the band to be her second signing. 
  -  One hit wonders end up on VH1. Could we create a reality series featuring the band as they try to get signed up by a major label. Maybe even Ellen's.
  -  Perhaps if one of the members was to suddenly "expire", we may be able to create some sympathy for the band which could result in the break they need. It could even lead to a social media campaign to find the ideal replacement.
  -  Could we possibly interest major producers to get behind the band? What could intrigue Snoop Dog to want to collaborate with them, other than bribing him with marijuana?
  -  If their music career doesn't pan out where else can they apply their talent or lack thereof? Could they take their "financial experience" as credit spokesmen to the airwaves as experts on Fox Business Channel. They should fit right in.

MANDATORIES:

  -  The band MUST at all times disparage FreeCreditReport.com
  -  The band can never write their own material.
  -  The old lady that appears with them in their ads must always be included in their entourage.
  -  The band must submit to regular credit score testing.

Good luck and make it happen, people!

Submay: St.-Quirin-Platz

This stop. St.-Quirin-Platz Station, Munich.

St.-Quirin-Platz was opened in 1997 and is part of the U1 Line on the Munich U-Bahn. It may have the most striking exterior of any station in the world. A giant, shell-shaped steel and glass dome spans the station down to the platform level. So don't pick your nose because everyone outside will see you.

 St.-Quirin-Platz was designed by the architects Hermann & Öttl.

(Credit to munichfound.com)

Submay: Formosa Boulevard

This stop. Formosa Boulevard Station, Kaohsiung.

Formosa Boulevard was opened in 2008 and is part of both lines (Orange and Red) on the very new Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit. The metro system in Taiwan's second city officially began on March 9th, 2008 when the Red Line opened.

The centerpiece to the station is the "Dome of Light", the world’s largest one-piece public artwork made from glass. The dome spans 30 meters in diameter, covers 660 square meters and is made from 4,500 glass panels.

It was created by the Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. It took him four years to create. Interestingly, he actually created it in Germany and then shipped it to Kaohsiung to be installed. Once again something brilliant made in Germany.

(Credit to 360cities.net)

Submay: Alisher Navoi

This stop. Alisher Navoi Station, Tashkent.

Alisher Navoi was opened in 1984 and is a major transfer hub on the Tashkent Metro. The capital city of Uzbekistan boasts one of the most striking metros in the world. While all the stations share the Soviet grand aesthetic, their individual ornate designs borrow heavily from the local Islamic culture. Alisher Navoi is the stand-out example.

It is named after Nizām al-Din Ali Shīr Navā'i, a writer, poet, painter, politician and mystic who was born in the 15th century. It is unclear whether any of his work is featured in the station.

 (Credit to travelandleisure.com)

Submay: Brin

This stop. Brin Station, Genoa.

Brin was opened in 1990 and is one of only seven stations on the tiny Metropolitana di Genova.

It was designed by Genoa-born architect Renzo Piano, probably best known for designing the Pompidou Center in Paris. In fact, he designed all the stations on the metro. No truth to the rumor that he copied the designs of Gianluca Franco Viola and Alessandro Bassoon.

(Credit to metrobits.org)

SmArt.

The Glue Society have done some great work over the years, especially in the realm of branded- entertainment.

But its their art pieces that really stir the imagination. Like a sculpture of a man crapping on the head of a giant pigeon. Or a satellite photo of Moses parting the Red Sea. Or this sculpture done in 2006 called, "Hot with the chance of a late storm".

Their work has been exhibited at Pulse Contemporary Art Fairs in Miami and New York.

Submay: Drassanes

This stop. Drassanes Station, Barcelona.

It was originally opened in 1968 as part of Line 3 on the Barcelona Metro. But in 2007 it underwent major remodeling.

The concept behind the new design, which I term "space-age funk", was to use the same materials as the subway cars that drive through the station. The walls of the station were constructed with glass-enforced white concrete, while the white floors are all vibration proof. Not quite Gaudi but striking nonetheless.

(Credit to thecoolhunter.net)

Submay: L'Enfant Plaza

This stop. L'Enfant Plaza Station, Washington D.C..

It was opened in 1977 and is part of four lines on the Washington Metrorail. It is the only station to be served by four lines, the latest lines being added in 1983. L'Enfant Plaza is another stand-out example of Harry Weese's signature design featuring coffered vaulted ceilings.

It should be noted that Weese's uniform vision couldn't contrast more starkly with the "individualism" of the metro in Moscow, where every station has its own identity. A bit ironic really.

(Credit to wikipedia.org)

David Lynch loves handbags.

What do a Christian Dior handbag, Shanghai, the sexy Marion Cotillard, sixteen minutes, a couple of Asian heavies and the incomparable David Lynch have in common?

A new piece of branded-entertainment from the fashion giant. In fact it's the third film in a series of mini-features which Dior began last year. Olivier Dahan ("La Vie en Rose") and Jonas Akerlund directed the first two.

According to Lynch, the Dior people made him an offer he couldn't refuse - "You can do anything you want, you just need to show the handbag, the Pearl Tower and some old Shanghai." Some people get all the cool briefs.

While nowhere near a classic, it is unmistakable Lynch. Just don't expect Frank Booth or "Bob" to make an appearance. Kudos to all involved, especially Christian Dior for their continued commitment to branded-entertainment.





(Sharing credit to ft.com)

Submay: Zvenigorodskaya

This stop. Zvenigorodskaya Station, Saint Petersburg.

It was opened in 2008 and is part of the Frunzensko-Primorskaya Line on the Saint Petersburg Metro.

Zvenigorodskaya was designed by Russian architect Alexander Konstantinov. He spared no expense in creating one of the prettiest stations on the metro. For instance, he specially imported green marble and red and green granite from India. The only thing imported from India on New York subway stations are the newspaper vendors.

(Credit to wikipedia.org)

Submay: Dhoby Ghaut

This stop. Dhoby Ghaut Station, Singapore.

Dhoby Ghaut was opened 1987 as part of the North South Line on the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). As of this year it is now part of two more lines making it the largest station on the metro system.

Dhoby Ghaut means "washing place" in Hindi. Ironically there are no rest rooms in the station. Okay I just made that last part up.

 (Credit to wikipedia.org)

Brain-teaser Monday.

In Nike's brilliant launch commercial for their new "Write the future" campaign, one moment of magic or ineptitude by a star player at the World Cup becomes destiny defining.

Match these real defining moments from World Cups past with the year in which they occurred.

• Johan Cruyff's "Turn".
• Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal.
• Robert Baggio's wonder goal.
• David Beckam's retaliatory kick
• Zinadine Zidane's "Headbutt".
• Harald Schumacher’s "Flying Assault".
• Rob Rensenbrink's last minute miss. (this one's very personal)
• Geoff Hurst's "It is now" goal 

• 1966
• 1974
• 1978
• 1982
• 1986
• 1990
• 1998
• 2006

Answer to last week's brain-teaser: 2. VisitBritain.org

Submay: AM Moosfeld

This stop. AM Moosfeld Station, Munich.

AM Moosfeld was opened in 1999 and is part of the U2 Line on the Munich U-Bahn. It is located in east Munich.

It wins the prize, hands down, for station with the biggest name i.d.. Munich based architects Sturm & Kessler were responsible for the design in which they cut out letters from the aluminum coated wall panels. Ingo Maurer provided a lighting scheme that made the large, bold letters "pop" even more. A client's wet dream.

(Credit to ubahn-muenchen.de)

Submay: Sarriko

This stop. Sarriko Station, Bilbao.

It was opened in 1995 and is part of Lines 1 and 2 on the Metro Bilbao. It was designed, like the rest of the metro system by Norman Foster, but is noticeably different from the other stations. For starters, Foster decided to deviate from his signature shell entrance.

Sarriko won the 1998 Brunnel Award for railway design.

(Credit to wikipedia.org)

Submay: Luziny

This stop. Luziny Station, Prague.

Luziny is part of Line B on the Prague Metro. While Line A may have a cool, science fiction signature look to all its stations, Line B has the real gem. It was opened in 1994 and is located in the southwest part of Prague.

Luziny may look like a station above ground thanks to a lot of natural light, but its platforms are in fact seven meters below the surface. It was specially designed with three skylights in the ceiling.

(Credit to www.angrnost.cz)

Submay: Alto do Ipiranga.

This stop. Alto do Ipiranga Station, Sao Paulo.

It was opened in 2007 and is part of Line 2 (Green) on the Sao Paulo Metro. The main body of the station is covered by an impressive glass dome, which supposedly has cut the lighting bills in half.  

Alto do Ipiranga has a mixed color scheme of green, yellow, blue and white. These are the same colors of the Brazilian flag. Spooky coincidence? I think not.

(Credit to skycrapercity.com)

Submay: Schweizer Platz

This stop. Schweizer Platz Station, Frankfurt.

Schwiezer Platz or literally "Switzerland Place" was opened in 1984 and is part of three lines on the Frankfurt U-Bahn. It was designed by Willy Orth and is considered by many to be the most beautiful station in the system.

Amongst the artwork in the station is a dedication to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners.

(Credit to wikipedia.org)