It’s called “synchronicity,” that coincidence of events that seem related, but are not obviously caused one by the other. In this case, we have a Japanorama post on the subject of artistic barcodes, an Argot post on Pop art – barcode animation, and a link to Bar Code Art. Cool stuff.
“In Japan, artistic barcodes grace everything from soup to nuts. The theme typically matches the actual product inside [the package] but just as often it doesn’t. No matter, the theme is secondary to the thoughts of the artists who, though limited by the need to retain the barcode’s original purpose, still have enough leeway to surprise and delight.”
Via Japanorama. 
And then there’s this cool film of Pop Art – Bar Code Animation. Although I would recommend the “Flight of the Bumblebee” as musical accompaniment for the flight of UPCs. Via Argot.
Check out Scott Blake’s barcode flip books for a similar experience. Blake “…started making art with barcodes right before Y2K, inspired by the year 2000 computer bug, and threatening digital apocalypse.”
Bruce Lee by Scott Blake
Blake’s Bruce Lee is made up of tiny UPC images. Check out BarCodeArt.com for more interesting UPC art.
Related links:
Bar Code Revolution
Barcodes in Artwork.“Here are literally dozens and dozens of barcode graffiti and barcode artwork photographs.”
Japanese Creative Barcodes from Dark Roasted Blend
~MadSilence
