With the BAFTAs now done and dusted — and Ben Affleck seemingly one inch closer to a complete “Argo” victory — the Oscars are next in line to focus everyone's attention on the films of 2012. The Academy should be pretty confident that people will indeed tune in, but this year they've nevertheless opted for a unique promotional campaign, one sitting right in line with the Mondo poster aesthetic.
Collaborating with the fantastic Los Angeles-based Gallery 1988, the Academy has commissioned ten different artists to apply their interpretations of the nominated films for all to see, and the results are a wide range of influences and technique. The set starts with Joshua Budich's work for “Silver Linings Playbook,” passes through Tom Whalen's bold, color-filled “Life of Pi” piece, and ends finally on Rich Kelly's spooky artwork for “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” (Though why "Zero Dark Thirty" was omitted isn't clear).
All are singular in their approach, and the entire enterprise marks a success for those behind the Academy's move to feature them. You can check them all out below, and hopefully catch the same level of quality from the award ceremony itself when it airs February 24th on ABC.
