Postmodernism emerged in the 1960’s that opposed Modernism. Focused on individual interpretations it rejects a single style that collapses barriers between high and popular culture. It is an idea that focuses on deconstruction for understanding.[6]

“Kunstkredit Basel 1976/77” Worldformat poster for Kunsthalle Basel, film layering 1977 Designer: Wolfgang Weingart (First worldformat poster)[1]

Graphic designer and typographer Wolfgang Weingart demonstrates deconstruction in the experimental nature of postmodernism with his heavy focus on typography.

 “I was motivated to provoke this stodgy profession and to stretch the typeshop’s capabilities to the breaking point,” Weingart in the retrospective Weingart: Typography—My Way to Typography, published by Lars Müller in 2000[1]

This poster demonstrates Weingart’s experimentation of creating image and type; the use of ben-day dots with halftone screens, using a high accuracy repro camera to manipulate type was a profound new way of meshing image and type to make graphical masterpieces.[1] This is relevant to my own work; it displays fearlessness to experiment with typography. In my own practice manipulating type can often feel limited to a screen but Weingart demonstrates analogue manipulation can have impressive results. I love the style of layering images; line and photography is presented in a visually appealing way that inspires me to experiment with composition and develop my own graphical eye.

 

The Who,Quadrophenia (1973) photographed by Ethan Russell

The Who created an album based on a young Mod named Jimmy. The photographs visually narrating the character in the album were captured by Ethan Russell.[2][3]

“My work always was rooted in what I found interesting and I always had this interest and engagement with the singer-songwriter that would inform the way I might take an image.” Ethan Russel interview with Chris Owyoung by Andew Fingerman.[5]

This photograph inspires me because it shows how narrative can effectively give direction to a photograph. It shows collaboration where somebody who communicates through music is translated perfectly with image; therefore is a successful design. What has drawn me to this particular photograph is Russell’s deconstruction of what the artists wanted in the narrative then building the perfect photograph to match the atmospheric story as well as working graphically to present the band in the cover; producing a visually stunning image.

 

(Fairey, 2013) Sedation Pill

Shepard Fairey’s bold and vibrant style originated from DIY graffiti stickers and evolved within the skateboarding scene to the Obey brand today.[8]

Fairey’s work has deconstructed the barriers between street art and the high-art world and has exploited politically charged concepts whether in an act of rebellion or an ironic nod to propaganda. This image “Sedation Pill” shows his signature bold style while reveals a statement on America’s “indifference and complacency about important issues” Fairey, (2013); originally he has been lighthearted with the impact of his work but is now using his notoriety to mention more serious issues. This poster holds relevance to my work because it is communicating concepts that are important to him as a designer, which is a goal of my own.[7]

 

References

[1] AIGA | the professional association for design. (2017). Wolfgang Weingart. [online] Available at: https://www.aiga.org/medalist-wolfgang-weingart [Accessed 11 Nov. 2017].

[2] Apple Music. (2017). Quadrophenia (Remastered) by The Who on Apple Music. [online] Available at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/quadrophenia-remastered/id705360660 [Accessed 11 Nov. 2017].

[3]En.wikipedia.org. (2017). Mod (subculture). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mod_(subculture) [Accessed 12 Nov. 2017].

[4] En.wikipedia.org. (2017). Shepard Fairey. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey [Accessed 13 Nov. 2017].

[5] Fingerman, A. (2017). History, Rock ‘N’ Roll and The Many Lenses of Ethan Russell. [Blog] Photoshelter Blog. Available at: https://blog.photoshelter.com/2010/03/history-rocknroll-ethan-russell/ [Accessed 12 Nov. 2017].

[6] Hodge, S. (2011). 50 art ideas you really need to know. London: Quercus Publishing plc, p.205.

[7] Obey Giant. (2017). Sedation Pill – Obey Giant. [online] Available at: https://obeygiant.com/prints/sedation-pill/ [Accessed 12 Nov. 2017].

[8] Shepard Fairey and Postmodernism. (2017). [Blog] Design Dialogue. Available at: https://wordpress57027.wordpress.com/2017/04/06/shepard-fairey-and-postmodernism/ [Accessed 13 Nov. 2017].