This is not a pipe

I am currently taking an art history class this semester, and we have already covered centuries and centuries of magnificent artwork that has impressed me. I’m amazed of the immense talent and creativeness found in the great artists who have constantly been evolving art over the years. This week my teacher put up a slide with a particular work of art that I had seen several other times, but I wanted to share it on my blog because it reminded me of a type of print advertisement one might see.

Rene Magritte started out as an advertising designer until he received sufficient funds to become a full time Belgian Surrealist painter.

The Treachery of Images, 1928-1929 ->

When the image came up I thought how this work of art we are studying in my art history class could also be used in an advertising class to teach print ads and copy. The simplicity and very creative copy catches people’s attention and could easily pass as a print ad for a pipe or tobacco company. Translated the copy says, “This is not a pipe”. Surrealism is when you take an ordinary object and place it in an unusual space or context. It is not an actual pipe but an image of a pipe, genius!
I have gained more appreciation for fine art while taking this art history class. Through this intro to advertising class I have also seen how advertising can be a very creative form of art. Why not blend the two together?
What are your thoughts, do you think this would be a decent print ad?