#SMILESFILM APP TO UNITE 7 BILLION SMILES
London, 19 June 2012: Somo (www.somoglobal.com), the largest independent global mobile marketing company, today announces the launch of Yoko Ono’s #smilesfilm app. Developed by Somo in partnership with REVL8 Perfect Day, the app supports Yoko’s large-scale participatory artwork that encourages us all to contribute to her global anthology of portraits.
The smilesfilm idea was originally conceived in 1967 as a way of connecting people across the world. Yoko wrote: "My ultimate goal in film-making is to make a film which includes a smiling face snap of every single human being in the world". Yoko’s husband, John Lennon told Rolling Stone in 1968: “The idea of the film won’t really be dug for another fifty or a hundred years.” Through the app, after just 45 years, their vision is being realised.
Users can upload images to Instagram or Twitter accompanied by the hashtag #smilesfilm by clicking ‘Smile’ in the iOS app. The app’s ‘Dream’ function uses geo-positional tags so pins appear on a white world map (based on Yoko’s Add Colour Painting) showing where others are taking their smiley snaps. All of the photos, which can be taken and tweeted online as well, will be added to the film. A ‘Watch’ option allows users to view the film in-app. Following successful exhibitions in Tokyo, Berlin and New Delhi, #smilesfilm is being exhibited this summer at the Serpentine Gallery in London with Yoko Ono's show ‘To the Light’, which is part of the London 2012 Festival. The app will be officially launched at the opening night on Tuesday 19th June.
Nick Hynes, CEO at Somo, said: “This is a delightful example of how tech can bring people together, for non-commercial gain, and how mobile really is making the world smaller. At last, technology has finally caught up with Yoko’s vision.”
Yoko Ono, who has worked as an artist, writer and musician for the last five decades, said: “Smiles transform moods and opinions, and with the power of mass participation, can change the world for the better. This project is something that I have always wanted to do and now, using the latest technology, we’re finally doing it. Think PEACE, Act PEACE, Spread PEACE and Imagine PEACE. I love you!”
ENDS
HOW TO JOIN IN WITH SMILES FILM
1. Download the app from Apple’s App Store
2. ‘Dream’ to see where others are posting their pictures from
3. ‘Watch’ to view the #smilesfilm
4. ‘Smile’ to add yours to the project via Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #smilesfilm – to see your pics on the map please make sure you have to have GeoLocation on
PR CONTACT
Neil Robertson at Speed Communications
+44 (0)20 7842 3211
Neil.robertson@speedcommunications.com
Nicole Hudspith at Speed Communications
+44 (0)20 7842 3245
Nicole.hudspith@speedcommunications.com
ABOUT YOKO ONO
Working as an artist, film-maker, poet, musician, writer, performance artist and peace activist for over five decades, Yoko Ono has influenced generations of artists and received numerous prestigious awards. In her prolific career, she has embraced a wide range of media, defying traditional boundaries and creating new forms of artistic expression. Born in 1933 in Tokyo, she is a pioneer of conceptual art and her work has been presented internationally in major exhibitions and performances.
ABOUT SOMO
As the largest independent global mobile marketing company, Somo makes sense of mobile for clients wanting to increase sales, raise brand awareness and make their businesses more productive. Headquartered in London’s Soho and specialising in strategy, mobile web and app development, and mobile advertising campaigns, Somo has 80 employees working across the international tech hubs of Europe, the US and Asia-Pac. Our global client base includes Audi, News Corp, Paddy Power and Groupon, and the Somo-designed Audi UK Le Mans app, which featured the first use of augmented reality in the automotive industry, won Best App at The Drum’s Cream London Award 2012.
GP Bullhound’s Media Momentum Awards 2012, ranked Somo as the third-fastest growing digital company and the fastest growing mobile company across Europe.