Slog - Comments on Oh, and a Big Wrist Slap to Caffe Vita

Comment by SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS

SEAN NELSON, EMERITUS — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:24:02 -0800

Seconded.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:26:02 -0800

Got some sand in your vagina?

Comment by Dan Savage

Dan Savage — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:26:17 -0800

Well, we've been known to miss the mark every now and then too. I will still be patronizing Vita. And I predict that Brendan will be too, in a week or two.

But, yeah... Obama = clown? On election day? Uh...

Comment by brian

brian — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:26:50 -0800

thirded. don't forget that slimeball dickhead also has his money tied up in Cremant too.

Vita, Tribunali and Cremant.

Comment by peopledust

peopledust — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:26:59 -0800

wow! that is absurd. please stop vita- just stop. NOT COOL.

Comment by mint chocolate chip

mint chocolate chip — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:27:17 -0800

Uh, the election's over. He won. Where's the harm?

I'll be making myself a nice cup of Bistro Blend now.

Comment by Brendan Kiley

Brendan Kiley — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:35:51 -0800

I will not, Dan. It's not just the clown suit, it's the impulse to cash in.

It sucks.

Comment by The General

The General — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:39:14 -0800

I saw those posters up around the hill at least a week prior to election day... if that helps.

Comment by obsrv

obsrv — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:39:16 -0800

You're just noticing these now? These have been around for at least a month.

Comment by N

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:39:17 -0800

Uh, it's a joke? It's parody? The kind of thing that The Stranger should understand? Seriously, don't be ridiculous. I'll go there twice as often now.

Comment by devil's advocate

devil's advocate — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:39:52 -0800

is the "sincerest form of flattery = imitation" equation applicable here? i mean, granted, it's tacky, but is it necessarily insulting?

Comment by brett

brett — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:40:09 -0800

i think the clown is supposed to be from their logo. you know, the italian harlequin thingy on their signage?

still completely asinine.

Comment by Rob

Rob — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:40:32 -0800

good thing there's a stumptown near the stranger offices.

Comment by obsrv

obsrv — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:04 -0800

You're just noticing these now? These have been around for at least a month.

Comment by adrian

adrian — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:07 -0800

i agree with brendan: luckily i fucking hate vita anyway. betwixt the strange and inexplicable sense of virtigo every time i walk in, the withering glare of typing lap-topsters and the inevitable acid reflux of their burnt brew, what's to love? nothing. NOVITA, '08.

Comment by thickturd

thickturd — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:44 -0800

um... yeah, how dare they... um... yeah...

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/CoverArt?oid=728038&year=2008

Comment by Lionel Hutz

Lionel Hutz — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:45 -0800

Tasteless? Yes. But I have this weird thing about going to cafes for the coffee. For politics, I go elsewhere. I don't get my coffee from Christian Sinderman or Blair Butterworth. And Cafe Vita is damn good coffee. Find your inner Obama and relax.

Comment by Trouble

Trouble — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:58 -0800

Looks like O winning hasn't made at least one uptight Seattleite ease up a bit.

Seriously, relax it may miss the mark, but it's clearly not meant as an insult.

Comment by adrian

adrian — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:43:07 -0800

i agree with brendan @ 7: luckily i fucking hate vita anyway. betwixt the strange and inexplicable sense of vertigo every time i walk in, the withering glare of typing lap-topsters and the inevitable acid reflux of their burnt brew, what's to love? nothing. NOVITA, '08.

Comment by jess

jess — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:44:26 -0800

Didn't the stranger have a cover with a kitten done in that same style recently? I saw that online and loved it. This isn't as lovable but I don't think it's intended any differently.

Comment by obsrv

obsrv — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:44:47 -0800

You're just noticing these now? These have been around for at least a month.

Comment by yep

yep — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:44:52 -0800

i found the posters tasteless... what a lame ad.

Comment by Dan Savage

Dan Savage — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:46:03 -0800

I was just going to point out that we've put Obama on our cover a couple of times.

Let's let it go, Brendan.

Comment by lar

lar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:46:07 -0800

i saw that last night, thought the same thing

ass clowns

Comment by David

David — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:46:16 -0800

You thought the Republican yard signs piece was all fun and games, but THIS is beyond the pale?

(Not that I had a big problem with the addresses thing, I just don't get why one and not the other.)

Comment by cochise.

cochise. — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:47:42 -0800

Cafe Vita describes their mascott as "the Punchinello", who historically "represents a bit of humor, a touch of the radical, and always a wallop of important commentary about how life on our planet could be a bit more full and rich."

but you can call it a clown if you want.

Comment by Dcal

Dcal — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:48:27 -0800

@ 16, you took the words out of my mouth/thought out of my head.

Comment by Yardlie

Yardlie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:49:43 -0800

wait..wasn't this what separated us liberals from knee-jerk reactionary dickhead conservatives? our sense of humor and our willingness to not take ourselves so damn seriously?

Comment by Binkyboo

Binkyboo — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:56:32 -0800

I thought they were funny. I think you're over-reacting. And yes, didn't you do a similar thing w/the kitten? Why was that "okay"?

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:00:03 -0800

@16, haw haw!

Comment by Sergeant Hulka

Sergeant Hulka — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:01:05 -0800

Lighten up, Francis.

Comment by Vive la France!

Vive la France! — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:02:22 -0800

This is different because it's not satire or homage... it's co-opting a movement for the purposes of advertising. Lame.

Comment by Ad

Ad — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:02:32 -0800

Meow. Love your current cover.
Echo @16, @29, @27

Comment by caroline

caroline — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:03:34 -0800

Yeah, I have to agree with almost everyone else on this one: I saw this up last week and thought "Ah, Vita is aligning themselves with Obama by using their clown image in place of the Obama image". Pretty simple. I thought of it as a rallying cry, like "We're on board with this guy--VOTE!" Let's get to work helping Obama make this country a better place, not bicker amongst fellow supporters of the bigger cause. Sheesh.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:07:55 -0800

Seriously, you sound like a bitch.

Comment by for real

for real — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:10:32 -0800

I thought you guys were starting a copycat column of Ask An Uptight Seattlite, but apparently this was serious?!

Comment by PA Native

PA Native — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:12:38 -0800

Yeah, can't believe they're the only ones doing this.

Chill the fuck out. (BTW, your cover's in row 25)

Comment by just ice

just ice — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:17:41 -0800

their street level advertising has been crossing the line for months now. during the block party they completely covered every telephone poll in the area with their posters. top to bottom. way to be a part of the community.

Comment by Nay

Nay — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:19:13 -0800

I took it less as an advertisement and more as a supportive statement. Whatevs...

Kittehs! CUTE Kittehs!

Comment by Eyes rolling

Eyes rolling — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:33:29 -0800

Let's get pissy over most of Andy Warhol's work as well while we are at it.

Comment by stupid faggot

stupid faggot — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:34:16 -0800

Little girl.

Comment by josh

josh — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:36:56 -0800

ORLY?

Comment by Geni

Geni — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:39:51 -0800

Well, it's not as if that shit they serve is drinkable anyway.

Comment by Sean

Sean — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:41:27 -0800

Dude, they're in business. Yes, I guess advertising (even whimsical, nonsense style) is mercenary. Opportunistic? Yes, they co-opted a visual style put out by a politician's campaign. Tone-deaf? That's in the ear of the beholder.

Chill out! What's with this sacred cow stuff?

I mean, thank jeebus he won, but Obama's an imperfect candidate who inherited a difficult set of intractable problems. He's going to do something to disappoint you, me, and other members of his constituency sooner rather than later. Just take a deep breath and realize that political movements, politicians, and small businesses are nothing to get worked up over.

Comment by 1. fire all employees named Brendan

1. fire all employees named Brendan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:45:02 -0800

10 Things Businesses Needs to Do Right Now to Save Themselves

Comment by vita has other problems

vita has other problems — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:55:54 -0800

There are plenty of other legit reasons to hate on vita. Like the back stabbing misogynistic owners. Pure unadulterated jackasses. The posters? ehh.

Comment by Laura

Laura — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:59:42 -0800

That got you all hot and bothered? Someone really needs to put on his big boy manties and get over himself. Silly boy.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:00:20 -0800

But that's how I like my coffee. Very misogynistic.

Comment by Mike

Mike — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:04:36 -0800

You wanna blame someone for using celebrity to sell their product? Uh...what is the problem? The "clown" costume is from the Pagliaci inspired Vita logo. Who cares?

Listen, don't start sanctifying Obama so fast. I campaigned, caucused and voted for the man, but I'll be damned if I'm going to sit on my ass now and assume that everything is gravy because he's in the White House. Your knee-jerk Obamaphile attitude is no different than the Republican impulse to boycott, ban or otherwise stiffle anything they deem unpatriotic and un-American. Real lefties should be worrying about Obama keeping his promises. Real lefties should STILL be wary of their government and contacting their representatives with their opinions about policy, not parody advertising.

And, yes, I saw those same posters months ago. Given that fact, it should be taken as an endorsement in addition to an oppurtunistic marketing ploy.

Comment by Mike

Mike — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:05:00 -0800

You wanna blame someone for using celebrity to sell their product? Uh...what is the problem? The "clown" costume is from the Pagliaci inspired Vita logo. Who cares?

And, yes, I saw those same posters months ago. Given that fact, it should be taken as an endorsement in addition to an oppurtunistic marketing ploy.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:21:00 -0800

I mainly don't like them 'cause:

1)I hate pretentious coffee houses...

2)...almost as much as I hate pretentious Italian restaurants with snotty attitudes and mediocre food.

Comment by i have a medium penis

i have a medium penis — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:32:17 -0800

hey brendan, where'd your nader post go?

Comment by Brendan Kiley

Brendan Kiley — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:35:53 -0800

The video had already been posted. I'm bitchy and dumb.

Comment by michael whogivesafuck

michael whogivesafuck — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:38:08 -0800

But you're cute. That's all that matters.

Michael, you are SO non-conformist! Go you!

Comment by hopemonger

hopemonger — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:56:34 -0800

Monday night, a friend and I went out at about 1 am to poster the HOPE posters that Shepherd Fairey had sent to us to ensure a victory here in Washington state (hey, it was officially a swing state at the time they sent them to us).

I saved them until Monday night so that people could wake up Tuesday morning and see them, and be like "YEAH. WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS THING!" (I based it on a "This American Life" story about a guy who spray painted frogs around his neighborhood.) My friend added the VOTE TODAY slips to help ensure no one flaked out.

It was cold and really, really rainy. Like soak-to-the-bone rainy but we saw late-night partiers who were like, Right on! So we kept going, taking a few to near the U District too.

Tuesday morning, I woke up, and Caffe Vita had papered over Shepherd's posters with their own. My heart dropped.

With gillions of blank walls all over Capitol Hill, they papered OVER his artwork with their ad. We had put them up in two places. They picked one of those specifically to paper over ours.

In order to sell coffee with Barack's image. When we have 5,000 coffee places on the hill.

Asshats.

We repapered at about 4 p.m:

http://seattlest.com/2008/11/05/seattlest_pix_08nov05.php

But they wrecked the moment, for reasons I still don't understand.

Comment by whino

whino — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:05:51 -0800

@55

Shut up.

Comment by K X One

K X One — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:19:07 -0800

Agreed. Poor taste and judgment. Boycott for a time followed by probation.

Comment by homemonger

homemonger — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:21:03 -0800

Absolutely. My friend has "before" pics from when we were putting it up at 2 am that he's posting to his blog.

You know, whatever. Obama won. The Supreme Court won't be filled with Alitos. In the end, it's just posters.

But it was so great when Shepherd Fairey's people gave them to us, and violating the spirit of that to sell more coffee is just...yucky.

Comment by Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:39:42 -0800

OMG! Capitalism is bad!

Comment by Vita Drinker

Vita Drinker — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:44:15 -0800

To do list: Piss off advertisers in the face of own glaring hipocricy.

Comment by agreed

agreed — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:36:36 -0800

Gotta say I'm with Brendan on this one. I wondered what the posters were for ...overlooking the obvious since I was standing about a block away from Cafe Vita when I saw them on election night. Knowing the full story now, I can appreciate anyone's enthusiasm for the "maverick" nature of Obama and wanting to support him and also the creative edge of advertising. Seriously though ...to cover up actual Fairey posters. On election day? That's just stupid and I can't see any justification.

I'm not saying I'll never sip a cup of Vita again or anything and I'm not going to get all up in a hissy and call The Stranger a hypocrite for having had Faireyesque images on their cover to promote their political agenda. Loads of people are indeed using the image these days. It's become a part of our culture. However, I think The Stranger's usage was a little more in the spirit of Fairey's original piece.

Comment by Chooms McHilo

Chooms McHilo — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:58:17 -0800

Vita's got great coffee. All my friends from out of town beg for it.

Coffee.

It's coffee.

These same people from out of town see this sign and squint.

I think you, them and Vita are all crazy.

Comment by tacomagirl

tacomagirl — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:26:01 -0800

Why take back "jackasses"? It seems perfectly appropriate to me.

Comment by lightsout

lightsout — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:24:21 -0800

yeah, why take back calling them jackasses? it's true.

Comment by Joe the Barista

Joe the Barista — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:03:23 -0800

Dear Stranger Readers:
On behalf of Caffe Vita, I take full responsibility for this mishap and wish to apologize for wasting the precious time you have spent reading, responding and email links to this blog entry. Not because of the content of the artwork displayed, but because when Brendan came in and asked for a cup of coffee, I mistakenly poured him CAFFEINATED espresso.

Lighten up.

Seriously.

And no, I don't work for Vita.

Comment by ballardin'

ballardin' — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:51:08 -0800

Ah. Similarly, they papered over the cool B&W Obama posters under the Ballard Bridge in the early days of the Dem primaries with a stupid clowny take-off. Vita, go away.

Comment by hopemonger

hopemonger — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:04:04 -0800

The conversation about this continues over here:

http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/11/re_oh_and_a_big_wrist_slap_to_caffe_vita