free speech and revolution

These are the things which I collect.

seriously, this is a paper bag promoting a singtel ad campaign for mobile phone plan for students where they can talk to each other for free. I saw this bag and kept this paper bag for a long while. This campaign is a really twist the idea of free speech.

Often, the image of 'revolution' /  'freedom' is appropriated and through this the meaning changes. In this case, it trivializes the meaning of free speech. It has in this case now been repackaged into a cheap mobile phone plan which promotes talking for free with your friend from university. The paper bag also resemble shopping bag format. What will the students talk to each other with free speech (calling credits)?

I remember years ago, a koka Noodle ad which uses the film clip of Chinese Communists waving Mao's little red book - in a way, the maoists were raving about the revolution in instant noodle industry. I can't find those images online but it is part of Koka Noodle revolution campaign. The campaign appropriates the aesthetics of revolution (slogans, placards, che guevara styled protagonist with exaggerated SD face, the colour red) definitely a more resolved ad campaign than the Singtel one.

Here are a few videos from the campaign:

This is a kid punished for shouting and thinking of revolution.

The 'people' revolting outside the (old) supreme court 

This ad campaign is funny, witty and irritating at the same time. The 'meaning' of revolution is communicated in a humorous way, in a way diffusing the sensitivity of revolution aesthetics used in the campaign. After all, it is instant noodle and humor. Sure is irritating.

Protagonist encourages the kids to join the revolution but they can't get it right. 

The ad is made by foreign talents. There is a 'tongue in cheek' critique of Singapore and Singaporeans.

See also this website, http://www.revolution.com.sg/ (so koka have cyber parked this domain).
http://sgforums.com/forums/4/topics/128487 - (forum thread discussing the noodle but not taken too seriously considering the theme of the ad)

I just want my regular instant vegetarian bee hoon. Old Skool packaging. Strange how the commercial sector gets away with these things.

I collect strange things. I should sleep.