~GRAPHICS .. seem to be the name of the game . . . ‘sNice !!
GOING INTO THE NEW YEAR, 2013 – GRAPHICS SEEM TO BE . . . THE NAME of the GAME.
Graphics. graphic images, whether abstract or representational, purely font or image-based … in ads or art, used as informational tools; random or patterned; popping up in the big universal questions, and in smaller screen state-of-the-art digital code-programs, not to forget, website design per se . . . and, even as . . . compressed expressionistic flourishes in big paintings on old-fashioned canvas, seem to be – the really – big deal right now.
it’s no wonder the cutting edge graphic design artists in this city are simply referring to themselves as … designers !!
and that includes the latest crop of (way happening) fashion, as in clothing … designers, too.
you could slowly see it creeping in over the past year, in the new crop of abstract artists, the new wave of photographic site-specific artists, and even in that big Brooklyn-dominated Zine show, ‘Diamond Leaves’ … in China. even the recent CARROLl DUNHAM show – really popped forward – in this way.
same with the iconic Americana images of TAYLOR McKIMENS, for that matter. Comic art, also big – and only getting bigger, of course has always had very strong graphic design elements, both in the panel compositions and, font use.
and, street art ? ditto. big time !!
so it was fitting that the end of last year featured 2 design shows, both full of fresh talent and ideas, both in off-the-mainstream venues, or: plain straight … outta-the-white-box !!
there was ‘untitled type 5’ at a sweet and cozy vegetarian West Village cafe .. by the name of .. ‘sNice (!!) – curated by RICHARD MEHL, graphic designer and instructor at SVA, which presented a casual and diverse show of works by SVA students and alumni, and then opening just a week or so later, at the Ace Hotel – a more structured group show, ‘FIFTY-FIFTY’ – produced and curated by DAN CASSARO, who also happens to be a fairly recent SVA Graphic Design graduate.
RICHARD MEHL at the opening of ‘untitled type 5’ at s’Nice. Dec 11, 2012.
behind him work by PABLO DELKAN, left and, by LAUREN HOM, on the right.
‘These Heels Don’t Hurt’ . . . by LAUREN HOM.
the fun thing about this show – was the use of very ‘outright’ fonts to really try and say something: well, personal !!
looks like trippin’ over a lot of rude people – is a never-ending part of the reality battleground.
urban dictionary has some even more colorful uses, just … don’t get me started, or I’ll be a-naming names !!
‘I’ll Be There in 5 Minutes’ – by LAUREN HOM.
see: LAUREN HOM – HOM SWEET HOM (!!)
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. NYC DEC 11, 2012.
NOTE: MORE PIX – FROM BOTH SHOWS – TO KEEP POSTING . . . GOING FORWARD !!