What a brilliant (stolen) concept!

I just saw this campaign in Ads of the World:

Really awesome concept. But not an original one. The ads immediately sent me searching through my blog archives to find the originals, in an art photography series by Argentinian photographer Irina Werning:

The ad version is by an agency called Propeg in Salvador, Brazil. The creative team is Ana Luisa Almeida and Emerson Braga (CDs) and Edson Rosa (AD).

So here is my question for photographers and ad creatives alike: Is it right to rip off someone's personal art project for ad glory and profit? Is it "inspiration" or outright theft?

An Ottawa radio station is currently running ads that use the Sleeveface meme. But that's a collaborative and tongue-in-cheek project that uses already copyrighted work. This, on the other hand, is a clear ripoff in concept, style and content — with only the addition of a product placement — Irina's Back to the Future and Back to the Future 2. Is it even legal?

Opinions welcome. I have e-mailed Irina as well.

I don't want to grow up.

Wow. Talk about tickling my Gen-X nostalgia.

Facebook friend Candace shared this amazing photoset by Argentinian photographer Irina Werning.

Her explanation:

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future."

These are some of my favourites from the set. You can see them all at Irina's Facebook gallery.

(All are copyright 2010 Irina Werning. The captions are mine.)

Never outgrow your inner nerd.

Never outgrow your exotic tastes.

Never outgrow your sense of wonder.

Never outgrow your defiance.

Never outgrow your love of learning.

Never outgrow wanting to stand out.

Never outgrow your rockin' style.

Never outgrow the things you love most.

Never outgrow your intimacy.

Never outgrow your innocence.

Never outgrow your mom's love.

And never outgrow your imagination.

I'd love to have someone do a portrait of me like this, because as a creative dude I am one of those lucky people who never really grew out of anything fun. And why should I? My inner child is way to much fun to hang around with.




UPDATE: e-mail response from Irina

Hi thanks for your email. Im very happy that you like my pictures. I work alone on my personal projects and the fact that you liked it and decided to write means a lot to me!

This is an ongoing project and I will be uploading new pictures regularly on my site.

I will be in NY and Boston in April; and May in Europe and am looking for people who want to go back to their future, so please drop me an email if you want to take part...