- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (14 Jan 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0810992000
- ISBN-13: 978-0810992009
- Product Dimensions: 21.9 x 16.3 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 379,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
From turn-of-the-century novelties and Depression-era distraction, through wartime comfort, to Hello Kitty and Jeff Koons, cuteness has thrived in the fertile soil of modern media and pop culture. What is it about fluffy bunnies with bows, baby ducks splashing in puddles, kittens snuggled in baskets and little lambs on their way to school? "Happy Kitty Bunny Pony" celebrates the 'cult of the cute' in all its camp, kitsch, ironic glory. With more than 200 images from the print and advertising archives of the Charles S. Anderson Design Company, this collection is an amazingly rich testament to our fascination with cute things. The hilarious commentary by "Mystery Science Theater 3000" host Mike Nelson, spiked with fun and curious facts, bits of sarcasm, and dry and not-so dry wit, is as surprising and bizarre as the images themselves. So go ahead and join the fun - everyone from art students to your grandma is already shouting the cult-of-the-cute battle cry: 'Happy Kitty Bunny Pony!'
About the Author
The Charles S. Anderson Design Company is ranked by Graphis magazine as one of the world's 10 most influential design firms. Their clients include Ralph Lauren, Warner Brothers, Coca-Cola, Levi's and Nike. Michael J. Nelson, an actor and writer, was the head writer and on-air host of the legendary television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. He is the author of Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese, Mind over Matters, and the novel Death Rat.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
this is an excellent book and a must have for everyone who loves cute things. It's got some gorgeous and sometimes bizarre pictures in it - think rabbits with chainsaws???? It's a gorgeous book to flick through and a coffee table must.
Format:Paperback
A delightfully sickly collection of found images (some edited especially for the book) from all aspects of American culture. It's a celebration of kitsch and tacky. A great reference book for artists and graphic designers. Worth acquiring the set.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
16 reviews
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Funny comments by MST3K's Mike Nelson, spread thin
29 Jun 2005
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is filled with odd, quirky and overly cute images apparently used in advertising in days gone by. The commentary by Michael J. Nelson (former head writer and performer on Mystery Science Theater 3000) ranges from thoughtful to hilarious and sometimes both, but it is spread fairly thin throughout, and not all images have comments associated with them. The pictures range from odd to funny and not all of them are cute even though they all seem to be going for that, and Mike Nelson's comments do at times point out their shortcomings in typically humorous fashion. This book is not nearly as consistently laugh-out-loud funny as Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese or the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Episode Guide, but it is amusing and a very quick read given the brevity of the text. If you enjoy looking at quirky advertising art from the past, reading Mr. Nelson's humor, or both, then you will find this book at times hilarious and at worst moderately enjoyable and amusing. Recommended.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Hysterical!
9 Jun 2005
Format:Paperback
The previous reviewer, B. Daley, seems to have missed the spirit in which this book was written, so allow me to clarify...it's funny! In "Happy Kitty Bunny Pony", Mike Nelson has written text designed to mock the ridiculous obsession world culture has with adorable animals. His insightful text joyously exposes the dark side of fuzzy-wuzzy, cutesy-wootsy little animals. I personally loved the paint by number images. Brought back wonderful memories of my youth. Perhaps it takes a certain cynical attitude to truly appreciate the work of Mike Nelson. If so, then I am glad to be cynical, for Mike is genius!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
For humour, and reference.
24 Dec 2005
Format:Paperback
I picked this book up as a reference source for my work. As a graphic artist who's a bit girly I bought it compleatly for the crude/funny/scary tribute to all that is cute. I was really surprised when I got to the back of the book to see it was Michael J. Nelson's brand of humour I was half-reading.
For reference or for reading, this is a good tool for someone trying to deconstruct cute simple graphics. Not to mention good reference for someone creating their own super cute flat/vector art. The humour in this book is like finding a five dollar bill in an old jacket, unexpected and nice!
For reference or for reading, this is a good tool for someone trying to deconstruct cute simple graphics. Not to mention good reference for someone creating their own super cute flat/vector art. The humour in this book is like finding a five dollar bill in an old jacket, unexpected and nice!
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