The online space of Caroline Bach
My dear Josie sent me a message with a youtube link last week, writing “I just found something and I know you’ll love it!”
I sense a vibe of The Great Gatsby and a bunch of other movies in there. The entire atmosphere, the photography, the costumes, the roles of the different animals and all the little messages are great. Such a wonderfully beautiful and well made video! Thank you, daahlin’!
Capital Cities – Kangaroo Court
In A Tidal Wave of Mystery (2013)
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Despicable Me 2 Soundtrack (2013)
Have you seen the world’s first 24 hour music video, based on this track? It’s a fun time killer to play around with, automatically adjusts to the time in your computer (super cool) and it’s good for background music.. at least for a while: http://24hoursofhappy.com
Pharrell Williams, the 40-year-old (yes!) genius, formed The Neptunes with his equally talented friend Chad Hugo in the early 90’s, and they were later discovered and signed by the great father of New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley. Then came N.E.R.D and blew our minds with cool and distinctive beats, the guys continued producing music with a bunch of other artists, and today the man with a kid called Rocket, a half-pipe in his home and maybe the world’s most beautiful jawbones just keeps on creating innovative beats and art, making the rest of us happy. (Apart from that sexist Thicke collab. Boo!)
A short movie (in Swedish – sorry!) from 2004 about four young immigrant guys who get a mysterious potion from an unknown sender – a potion which turns immigrants into Swedes, along with all that it entails. The guys decide to set up a master plan, and the police is not very impressed.
This is a 25 minute piece packed with stereotypes, environments and realities that I grew up with myself. It is hilarious, while being very authentic, sad and appalling. It’s basically a loud shout of criticism against our society, and there are too many truths in there for it not to touch me.
The short was directed by Babak Najafi and produced by Memfis Film. It is based on a novel from 2001 by Alejandro Leiva Wenger. And yes… the resolution is horrible and I haven’t found a nicer upload, so do yourself a favour and don’t watch this on full screen.
What do Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jesus and a random dude have in common?
This new christmas campaign from UNICEF Sweden is absolutely brilliant! I’m loving the shift from old school guilt-trip ads with images of crying children in dirty clothes, to this far more creative and humorous way of convincing people to contribute to humanitarian development. The concept is simple, funny and straightforward, and manages to appeal to an international audience while still having a touch of Swedishness in it. Some might argue that it trivializes serious matters, while I immediately questioned whether simply “clicking” an ad was enough for donating. There is a referral to the website in the end of the video, and UNICEF Sweden has a great online giftshop when one can buy “gifts that matter” for children in need. So no, it’s not simply about clicking an ad, but it doesn’t really matter – because it’s funny and it’s well done. We’re generally pretty good at giving in Sweden, and people really appreciate a good and innovative advertisement campaign. Let’s hope this one works wonders!
Watch the rest of the three episodes of the Good Guys Christmas below. Don’t miss the little details such as Jesus turning the water to wine, Gandhis green yoga mat.. and the adventure of trying out the internet for the first time.
The spot was Produced by Forsman & Bodenfors for UNICEF Sweden.
In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we only can create a genuine empathic connection if we are brave enough to really get in touch with our own fragilities. It was animated by Katy Davis, also known as Gobblynne.
The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is a constant source of inspiration and machine of awesomeness. It defines itself as “an enlightenment organisation committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today’s social challenges. Through its ideas, research and 27,000-strong Fellowship it seeks to understand and enhance human capability so we can close the gap between today’s reality and people’s hopes for a better world.”
I think Empathy is a very good start. And not disregarding feelings.
Short documentary from 2011 about the life and legacy of incredibly inspiring Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who died yesterday at the age of 95. Read the story of the ever-positive, ever-fighting and ever-generous icon who moved an entire world and never stopped caring about justice, as presented on the CNN website.
Nelson Mandela Foundation (2011)
If you’re ever in Johannesburg and have a moment to spare, do visit the Apartheid Museum.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
During my last month at the UNICEF in Nicaragua I worked with the Social Policy section on various exciting innovations (such as the Sociopreneur initiative.) In the meantime, I got to dive into video footage produced during the first stages of the introduction of design-thinking in the policy-making process in Nicaragua’s Northern Autonomous Atlantic Region. Teaming up with the local government, UNICEF Nicaragua seized the opportunity to support the rights and needs of the youngest in the region while co-creating a new regional policy for children.
My job was to supervise the production of a short advocacy video about this new inclusive and engaging process, and here’s the result:
Read more about human-centered design in policy making here: Design Thinking for Children/UNICEF Innovation.
The video was produced by the New York-based creative agency Big Yellow Taxi, and there is also a version in Spanish.
