ICA goes Viral with 'Outrageous and Contagious'

The Institute of Contemporary Arts has teamed up with Channel 4's IdeasFactory to launch an exhibition celebrating viral ads called 'Outrageous and Contagious', a title that picks up on the medium's association with the controversial.

The exhibition consists of a showcase of classic, weird, funny and outrageous virals, including a Sky News viral that featured the text "Bush: one of the worst disasters to hit the US", under a picture of George W Bush, Ali G talking about drugs to the British drugs czar and the Volkswagen Golf ad that featured Gene Kelly singing in rain.

It will be followed by a summit where participants can discuss the phenomenon, share ideas and talk about its future.

The exhibition will also include the launch of this year's Germ, the second annual viral 'Oscars', which includes categories such as 'best video viral' and 'best commercially produced viral'. The nominees will be judged by an expert panel of digital, creative and broadcast professionals.

Some Viral examples from boreme.com:

VW suicide bomber spoof

Great moments in presidential speeches

Football hazards

Read more at: Brand Republic (subscription required)

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