Webguerillas: guerrilla actions against human trafficking
The fictional artist Szuk promoted his exhibition opening with guerrilla marketing campaigns. Panini stickers featuring prostitutes sparked a major media response. The agency generated significant attention for the Stiletto Run and raised awareness of the issue of human trafficking.
Chained high-heels on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, oversized two-ring banners with the likeness of Helvetia in a miniskirt, and - in keeping with the European Football Championship - Panini pictures with prostitutes on them. Last June, people in Zurich were puzzled by these guerrilla actions. All traces led to the Hungarian artist Szuk, who invited on his website to a vernissage in Zurich.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvu1uDniW6c
Sad art that lives
The mysterious Hungarian had not stirred the advertising drum in vain. According to the agency, more than 200 visitors wanted to know who Szuk really is and what he wants to show the public. And since the vernissage one must define living art probably differently. On pedestals, in dim light, Szuk staged his art objects: chained women, made over and with numbers like prisoners. And they are prisoners - Szuk wants to draw attention to this. Hundreds of women are also forced into prostitution in Switzerland under the worst conditions.
In the gallery that evening it was volunteers who presented themselves in skimpy dresses on high heels. A strong image that worked. It seemed almost grotesque how people discussed in front of the living art while having a Cüpli. On small signs, where in museums details of the artist and work are noted, visitors found the shocking short biography of the prostitute - and her price.
High reach without a media budget
Human trafficking is a sad reality. Fictitious, on the other hand, is the artist Szuk. Behind the guerrilla actions and the vernissage with the living artworks was the agency Webguerillas, which called for participation in the first Zurich Stiletto Run on behalf of the organization Glowbalact. Articles about the guerrilla actions and the vernissage in wide-reaching media such as Blick am Abend and Tilllate as well as numerous blog and forum articles additionally sensitized people to the issue of human trafficking.
Several hundred participants and spectators finally showed their solidarity with the women who have to sell their bodies for sex. To ensure that the proceeds of the event as well as the donations fully benefit the victims of human trafficking, the work of all participants was done on a voluntary basis.
Responsible at Glowbalact: Tabea Oppliger (President), Sonja De Iaco, Timea Keller. Responsible at Webguerillas: Conrad Malcher (Creative Director), Daniel Gremli (Concept), Norbert Rieger, Anja Schatz, Richard Wegele (Art Direction), Christian Schiller (Public Relations), Tatjana Meichtry (Consulting), Moritz Capelle (Head of Operations and Innovations), Philippe Stuker (Managing Director).
