Jan 17 2009
Change4Life
The government’s latest health initiative - Change4Life - is quite fascinating to me; at least as much for what it is not as for what it actually is.
I was at first attracted by the cartoon figures: although produced by Aarman Anaimations, the stylised dynamic figures are redolent of the work of the late Keith Haring. This was interesting for a government-backed health campaign with the message of unity and vitality - like Keith’s work - giving “tips for healthy kids and families” when the graphics appear to be based on work that comes with an “IMPORTANT PARENTAL ADVISORY” warning. There is, to be fair, a “child-friendly” site of his work at http://www.haringkids.com/ but I think that it is unlikely that the Department of Health have thought this one through; although I, for one, would welcome large anti-obesity murals or graffiti.
I have one such design that I prepared earlier:
“Andy Whopper - Haring”
(c) 2009, Ian Springham
Should the government decide to launch a mental health initiative - fat chance! - I think I shall put forward my works for consideration.
