Coca-Cola Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Coke Bottle

I have a firm belief that geekery encompasses all sorts of things and topics. No matter who you are, I’m pretty sure that there is something, that ONE thing, that you will geek and spazz about, be it a certain shoe or clothing brand, a video game or TV show, even something as pop-culture related as Coca-Cola paraphernalia.

Coca-Cola is celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the creation of its iconic curvy glass bottle and to commemorate such an occasion, they’ve decided to delight all Filipino Coke aficionados by launching the “Coca-Cola Bottle Art Tour” right here in the Philippines.

Staged at the Bonifacio High Street Central Ampitheatre from October 2-4, 2015, fans will be treated to an amazing array of Coca-Cola themed art that features actual historical facts and artwork by world-renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Clive Barker, and Normal Rockwell.

(WARNING: PHOTO HEAVY POST AFTER THE CUT!)

I was invited to witness the first day of the art exhibit and boy, was it exciting! Coca-Cola executives gave us a short talk on the history of the brand and how it came to be as famous as it is now.

Mr. Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications, Coca-Cola Philippines

Mr. Ted Ryan, Director of Heritage Communications of The Coca-Cola Company

Michael Moore, member of the Global Brand Team of The Coca-Cola Company

Classic Coca-Cola glass bottles lined up on our table. So sexy!

Born on November 16, 1915, the Coca-Cola bottle was the creation of the Root Glass Company in Terre Haute, Ind. With its unmistakable curves and a distinctive contour, the bottle has become a global icon, inspiring a century’s worth of signature moments in film, social history, design and the fine arts.

“Since its creation in 1915, the Coca-Cola bottle has achieved iconic status as a symbol of refreshment and uplift and it remains an important asset for our business today,” said Marcos de Quinto, Chief Marketing Officer, The Coca-Cola Company. “The campaign, which will be executed in over 130 countries, is our invitation to consumers around the world to share in the specialness of an ice-cold Coca-Cola.”

After the short press conference, we were guided to the entrance of the exhibit and it is really something worth seeing! From head to toe, everything just screamed Coca-Cola. 🙂

One of the guides orienting people in line waiting to get inside. All lines were properly handled and facilitated. There was a bit of waiting in between areas but overall it was efficient and not crowded at all.

While waiting in line, we were entertained by a percussion band. 🙂

A cute bottle guards the gate to the inner exhibit area.

Finally, after waiting for a while, we were led into the inner sanctum of the Coca-Cola Bottle Art Exhibit! Yay! Everything inside the exhibit aimed to appeal to everyone’s five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and, of course, taste!

One of my favorite parts of the tour! Be Bubble-ized! This is what it’s like if you were inside a Coke Bottle, all fizzy!

We were all encouraged to get a feel of the classic Coke glass bottles! 🙂 So nostalgic!

Of course, the tour wouldn’t be complete without a perfect ice-cold Coca-Cola drink.

18 artists, one inspiration

The Bottle Art Tour puts together 18 artists—some of them being forerunners of the Pop Art Movement—for a sweet mix of media from prints, photography, found objects, toys and paintings.

Among these artists are Peter Blake, creator of the iconic Sgt. Peppers album cover and the ‘Coke Side of Life’ mural at Southbank, London; Andy Warhol, known for his Campbell’s Soup Cans; and Haddon Sundblom, the man behind popular depictions of the merry man from the North Pole, Santa Claus.

Other artists include: Burton Morris, Jane Wells, Jeff Schaller, Kate Brinkworth, Kim Frosin, Michael Kalish, Pakpoom Silaphan, Robert Mars, Sally Tharp, Steve Kaufman, Steve Penley, Bern Hotzel, Clive Baker, Eduardo Paolozzi, and Norman Rockwell.