Google Guilty of Artistic Whitewash
Today is Igor Stravinsky’s birthday.
How do I know this? Is it that I have a penchant for hoarding useless factoids? Perhaps it’s been hardwired into my brain by my old music teacher, who mocked my lack of talent by calling me “Stravinsky Stu”. Or is it because I’ve spent too many hours watching trivia-based quiz shows on TV?
http://www.google.co.uk/
No. None of these. I know it’s Stravinsky’s birthday because Google tell me it is by the fancy artwork (and the caption) incorporated into their homepage logo. This is common practice on notable – and not so notable – anniversaries. And I think it’s a nice touch, often interweaving the day’s theme in subtle and artistically intelligent ways. The resulting logos are both informative and visually appealing.
Barely two weeks ago there passed an anniversary that escaped few people’s notice. So where were you Google? Where was the clever tank, wheels creatively derived from the standard logo? Where was the abstract Tank Man, bags of shopping represented by one ‘O’ in each hand as he confronted a menacing line of armoured vehicles?
Exactly. You knew what day it was. You knew the significance. And you ducked it.
Next year is the Tank Man’s 21st birthday. Call your artwork people now so they’ve got plenty of time to make it as subtle as you need them to. If you can give us Stravinsky, the structure of DNA, and the anniversary of a breakthrough in the understanding of fractional geometry, then you can surely remember something of far greater significance. After all, you have nothing better to offer as a 6/4 anniversary. Because that’s what you did: you offered nothing.
Foolishly perhaps, I expected more from Google.