VW: The Dark Side. Greenpeace Protests Volkswagon by Mocking "The Force" Ad and Pulling A Big PR Stunt in London.

Claiming that Volkswagon, whose charming television ad for the Passat, "The Force", is a fan favorite and award-winner, emits harmful CO2 emissions, Greenpeace of the UK has organized a large PR stunt in protest.


above: a still from the Volkswagon "The Force" by ad agency Deutsch.

According to Greenpeace UK, automotive brand Volkswagon opposes the European climate laws. In its report, 'The Dark Side of Volkswagen', Greenpeace complains that Europe's largest car manufacturer has purposely restricted its most fuel efficient engines to a tiny minority of vehicles, and then drastically increased the price for consumers.



Unfortunately, the memorable and likeable tv ad served as a perfect target for their message "Welcome To The Dark Side."

The original VW The Force Ad from Deutsch:


Greenpeace created their own parody of the popular ad which, because of a LucasFilms copyright violation, has been pulled from YouTube and Vimeo and other articles on the web. However, here it is from EFE of the UK news (with newscaster talking over it, sorry):

VW: The Dark Side ad from Greenpeace:

Greenpeace Reveals Volkswagen's "Dark Side" by NewsLook

The PR Stunt


The PR stunt began early the morning of June 28th in London's 'Silicon Roundabout" on Old Street. Two teams of climbers scaled the largest billboard ad space in the city to post four banners starring Darth Vader and a VW logo.




As rush hour approached multiple people dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers began standing on boomboxes in the area, broadcasting the Imperial March music, while volunteers gave out flyers and explained the issues to the public.





Later the men in white gathered around the Foundry in the heart of Shoreditch as a second banner unrolled and thousands of people passed en route to work.




Greenpeace has a site that asks you to "Join The Rebellion" here.

images and info courtesy of Greenpeace UK and the EPA

GE Recreates Van Gogh Painting with Plants for London's National Gallery

above digital composite by Laura Sweet

GE (General Electric) and London’s National Gallery just unveiled an ecomaginative collaboration – an installation of Van Gogh’s famous A Wheatfield with Cypresses, made from over 8,000 living plants and on display on the western side of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.


above: 'A Wheatfield, with Cypresses' was painted in September 1889, while Van Gogh was a patient at the St-Rémy mental asylum.

above: More than 25 varieties of plant have been used to mimic the strong bands of color in the original picture.

The living painting has been constructed by specialist horticulture and design company ANS using over 8,000 plants of more than 26 different varieties. To create the artwork, each plant was selected for its unique colour to match the tones of the original painting.


image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

image courtesy of GE

The living painting is a creative manifestation of GE’s commitment to the environment through its ‘ecomagination’ business strategy, which is concerned with meeting customers’ demands for more energy-efficient products.

The green doesn’t stop there: GE also contributed environmentally-friendly Jenbacher cogeneration heat and power engines that will help reduce the Gallery’s carbon footprint.

People can see the living wall in Trafalgar Square until the end of October.

Thanks to GE Reports and London's National Gallery for the info

UPDATED AGAIN*: Kate Goes With Sarah Burton For Alexander McQueen With Cartier Tiara & Matching Earrings.

*UPDATED PICS now include the cakes, the reception dresses, the ugliest hat and more.

The dress was by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She donned the Cartier “halo” tiara, which was made in 1936 and given to the Queen as an 18th birthday present. And she's got the wave down cold.



Her earrings were custom-made by Robinson Pelham to match her tiara and were a present from her parents. Kate's wedding ring, which seemed to have given William a bit of difficulty in the slipping on, is a band of Welsh gold by Wartski.

The Cartier "halo" tiara:

As previously worn by the monarchy members before her:


The earrings made to match the tiara by Robinson Pelham:


No doubt, Kate Middleton, now being referred to as "Catherine," looked every bit like Royalty as she walked down the aisle.





People keep comparing Kate's dress to that of Princess Grace's, but they really were quite different except for the lace long sleeves:







above: Her bouquet consisted of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth.















And, of course, the kiss:



Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:

And they drove off in an Aston Martin:

The Cake, made by Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns :


the chocolate McVitrine's cake for the recption:


The Sarah Burton for Alexader McQueen reception dress for Kate:

and sister Pippa's reception dress:


I would be remiss if I did not include a photo of the most talked about hat (it even has it's own haters facebook page) at the event, worn by Beatrice:

images courtesy of Getty, The BBC, The AP, The PA and The British Monarchy