I read with interest Jochen Hayek’s blog post (http://blog-en.jochen.hayek.name/2010/06/old-python-anti-perl-propaganda.html) on Propaganda Posters used against Perl and then Python. I then followed the links to the original argument (which I recommend you follow) which is on Paul Battley’s Blog (original anti-Perl piece here).
The posters in both of these cases were produced some time ago. The original anti-perl piece is rather crude (not in taste just in skills used to create) as it is simply an original poster with text pasted onto it. I have done similar pieces myself they are fun but require little effort.
Paul’s piece is far superior and worthy of some regard as he took an original poster and then recreated it with a new message. It is still a rather bombastic approach but I like the fact that he took the time and effort to create a homage piece as opposed to just cut and paste blitzing or image manipulation (“photoshopping” if one believes the current zeitgeist) that so many quickly fall to.
Jochen asked if anyone would do the same for Perl and I thought it would be funky. I do like playing with posters or image stills and doing the crude text-replacing and image manipulation thing and have produced a series of amusing images (links at some other date). But, for this I thought I would give it a little more effort and go for Paul’s approach of re-creating an original with a new message.
So I selected my image (I went for Russian Propaganda posters as I have always been fond of the strong artwork):
I then set to redrawing the image in Inkscape so that I would have a piece of Vector Art that would be easily scaleable for different purposes and would enable some nice strong and uniform colours and the ability to move objects about or insert new images to change the message etc. (I wasn’t about to paint something). On the way I made the choice to change the gender of one of the subjects as it suited my message more. When I went for the tagline I wanted to say something without being too offensive and not at all derogatory, so I chose a simple message.
If anyone has any ideas for a different text then let me know as that is easy to create. If you click on the image (twice – once to the image page and then on the image again once there) you can see it at a larger size. I am pleased with my efforts which is why I blogged about it but let me know what you think. The image can be used but please ask permission (I like to keep note of who is using my work and where it is used)
-ttfn – Mark
by Cosimo
25 Jun 2010 at 15:30
Mark, I’ll be totally honest. Excuse me for that.
IMHO this is really ugly.
Reasons:
1) use of color, esp. for text is not consistent,
2) There’s no clear association with Perl for the random viewer
3) Please let’s not go down the Python/Ruby way. It’s not our way of doing things.
You can get your message out and be funny: http://my.opera.com/cstrep/blog/2010/06/25/perl-community-you-have-to-see-this
by Ashley
25 Jun 2010 at 16:19
That is really nice work.
I would prefer something other than anti-capitalist connotations. I use Perl to make a lot of money and I’m entirely proud of that. Putting Perl in the role of the proto-USSR also offers a subtle message of inevitable, lingering decrepitude, and failure.
Not sure I have any better ideas though. :
by Jochen Hayek
04 Aug 2010 at 17:49
I *do* like it very much.
May I get the SVG pls?
That would be very nice!
Thanks for this nice cartoon anyway.
And may I use it on web-sites and/or blogs?
Of course, I will always give you proper credit!!!
by mdk
05 Aug 2010 at 14:56
(Apologies for the late responses, I have been busy with a new child ;0 ).
Hey Cosimo, don’t stress everyone is entitled to their own set of likes and dislikes.
1. The text colour is exactly the same, the shadow colour below the text is different though. As for the other colours I used the palette from the original poster, though they are flattened because it is a vector graphic.
2. There is probably a long response I could give about how advertising/promotion is full of random associations, but you have a fair point.
3. I don’t believe that was my intention. I was taking the challenge someone else had set for sh*ts and giggles and because I like doing this type of thing in my spare time. Also, I am not sure why you think this was all that bad, as I said in my post Paul Battley’s work was fun and clever and that’s all really.
by mdk
05 Aug 2010 at 14:57
Sure you can use it. Credit is nice but could you also drop me a link to the usage so I can view it in context. Where do you want the svg sent to? The email supplied with the coment or some other?
by Sharron Clemons
21 Dec 2010 at 21:55
That is really nice work. I would prefer something other than anti-capitalist connotations. I use Perl to make a lot of money and I’m entirely proud of that. Putting Perl in the role of the proto-USSR also offers a subtle message of inevitable, lingering decrepitude, and failure. Not sure I have any better ideas though. :