The Angency of Mass-Consumed Products

In response to question #2 on pg 196
Each of these spoof ads makes some sort of statement about the realities of the product they are selling. Perhaps the creator(s) of these image were out to make people realize what really comes with the products they are selling. Each product (Absolut, Tommy Hilfiger (or Hilfinger as the ad reads), and Obsession) are all widely consumed by the masses, and these ads force people to think about why they are using the products instead of simply using them because everyone else does. Each of these images gives a look into the subjective agency of the products; instead of howing us what the product is, they are showing us what the product does to us after consumption.
The first ad, for “Absolut Impotence” is a spoof of an ad for Absolut Vodka. It is very similar to a real Absolut ad: a blank backdrop with a single bottle of Absolut dripping with condensation and under the bottle reads the brand name. However, in this ad the bottle is slightly collapsed, resembling a flaccid penis and instead of the brand name, the slogan is “Absolut Impotence.” I have seen a similar spoof of a Marlboro ad in which the cowboy's cigarette is bent and hangs towards the ground. This image makes real the agency of Absolut; that (like Shakespeare's quote) alcohol will make men want to have sex and not be able to get an erection.
The next ad, for “Tommy Hilfinger” is reminiscent of many Hilfiger ads I have seen in the past. Many of there ads are shot on a farm and usually include a big-ass American flag. The difference is that instead of scantly-clad sexy models sporting Hilfiger designs, we see a small flock of sheep. This image tells us a great deal about the agency of Hilfiger clothing, or perhaps the agencies we perform if we choose to where his designs. Sheep are often used as a symbol for conformity; they all look the same and tend to stay in their flock. So, this spoof ad is making the point that Hilfiger sells many clothes that look very much alike and to wear them means accepting your status as just another sheep i the flock.
The third and final ad is a spoof of a Calvin Klien ad for the men's fragrance “Obsession.” Most Calvin Klien ads that I have seen are very similar to this one: a plain backdrop with a very sexy, wearing-barely-anything super-slim or -buff model, usually in black and white. This ad, for a fragrance (which I wouldn't have known if I hadn't looked up the name using Google) made for men shows a very buff model wearing only underpants. He, unlike models in legitimate Klien ads, is using his hand to pull back the band of his underwear in order to be able to stare at his genitalia. This ad shows very clearly about the agency one performs when they decide to where this fragrance: they become obsessed with themselves. The model in the picture clearly can't get enough of himself and puts a great amount of effort into making sure he looks perfect. If you're going to spend around $70 dollars for one fucking bottle of cologne, you should probably learn how to pay attention to someone or something other than yourself.