Screen Prints for Social Change

I really enjoyed this process. I think the most fascinating aspect was that anyone can do this. It is a relatively cheap process that can be done in a single afternoon. This project really made me want to invest in some screens and ink. I love how screen printing has so much flexibility, whether that is with the intensity of your image, what materials you are printing on, or how many people you want involved. It is a fun hands-on process. This project is one of my favorites. It was really great to see how each person approached the project and what was on their shirts. I loved how different the messages were.

As for my design, I wish I had developed my image even further. My original concept was difficult to execute and because I was not sure how successful these prints were going to be, I did not fret over it too much. Now, with more time, I would like to really push my concept further. I wanted to create an image that reflected ones identity and their thumb print on the world. To walk through my image, the outer circles are supposed to resemble a cut down tree's stump. The person's profile was supposed to somewhat morph into a fingerprint, but it could also resemble the rings of a tree stump. It is a person's mark on the earth to put it plainly. I chose blue and green because we could only use two colors and I wanted to connect the image with an interpretation of the world. It is an abstract concept with no right or wrong interpretation. With more thought, I would make the image have a clearer message. I do think it is somewhat successful still.

I handed out my t-shirts to my roommates to wear. There is no right or wrong event or environment to wear my t-shirt in since it is making such a broad statement. I suppose the intention is to have someone reflect on the relationship they have with the earth. It promotes thinking "green".

Slingshot and Positive News Lecture Response

I was very interested in Slingshot's process. It was unlike anything I've heard. It honestly shocked me to hear how successful the newspaper has been and how long it has lasted. The fact that they can put together a monthly issue not knowing who will be at each meeting is amazing. Even the non-hierarchical system of dividing work seems like it would not be able to achieve anything. Clearly, this newspaper attracts a certain type of person that works out of love. The open and trustworthy atmosphere is why I feel the paper can continue to print issues. The people participating each have a vital role, which makes each person share responsibility and care. It seems like a process a person with a big heart can easily get sucked into. I am astonished that this paper can last 25 years with no backlash or dying out, still. In contrast to today they use such archaic techniques. The time commitment each page takes I feel would deter any young professional, but it is artists and writers working part time jobs who have the freedom to commit to something they believe in. There is no doubt that this paper's success is related to it being in Oakland/ San Francisco. A paper using such out of date, slow techniques would not appeal to any other city, especially on the east coast. I know the process is apart of the charm and the feel of the paper, but I think they can benefit from using some modern approaches that will save them so much time and maybe pull more support. Adbusters is achieving a similar look and feel of having collages, hand drawn elements, cutouts, and covering radical news stories. I know they obviously have a budget to work from, but how successful this magazine has been, they could easily implement a similar budget while staying true to their raw artistic process.

I loved the stores Positive News featured, and what a great idea to have only happy and interesting stories. I thought it was great the way our guest speaker analyzed photographs and word choice to make sure their headlines would not be interpreted wrongly. I think their design could use a lot more improvement to avoid confusion with tabloids, and kids articles. I know they are trying to have a playful design, but it looks to juvenile. I think it could be cleaner, and slightly more professional so people would take this news to be more truthful. She said it herself, people think their stories are made up sometimes. That is definitely a direct effect from the design. It can be fun, but still be professional.

Nonprofits such as these really make me appreciate and thank the people that are apart these projects. There is no financial gain nor political gain. It is simply people loving what they do and dedicating their time and efforts to create something that is benefiting to others. It really is wonderful San Francisco can support these types of projects.

Design Proposal: Topography Map

For this project, I was very interested in creating a map that depicted the topography of the city. The map would act as something similar to google maps where each route would tell the user the steepness of the hill. I plan on having this map be shown in several different mediums. First, there will be a topography app as a free download for iPhones and Androids. The app will feature something similar to google maps, but the different routes will show you different levels of steepness. Each route will have different transportation options: walking, biking, public transit, or car. Steepness will be measured into a system similar to ski slope signals. Colors will dictate flattest to steepest, so users can potentially select a level and only see routes within that color. The topography app will also have a feature that shows a 3D model of San Francisco streets, to better understand the hills of the city. Addition to the app, it would be great to have google maps take on this feature, so the color coding system of steepness will show up in the different routes google map offers. San Francisco transit maps could also feature a 2D topography map where streets have color gradients that depict steepness. 

I think this idea would have a huge social change. Those who are handicapped would benefit greatly along with senior citizens, and even the lazy. Bikers could find new routes other than the wiggle. Tourists could walk the streets without working up a sweat, or easily find hill tops for beautiful views of the city. A topography map could work in favor of the flat street walkers, or the hill top climbers. It would greatly change the quality of living in this city. 

Taller Tupac Amaru: A Decade of Radical Printmaking

The exhibit was very beautiful and thought provoking. When I first entered, I was immediately struck by how reminiscent the art was to 1960's radical art. The screen prints had vibrant colors and bold lettering and beautiful use of composition. Although aesthetically I really enjoyed the prints, I was at first not convinced of their purpose. I left the exhibit appreciating what messages they were trying to give and their talent, but I wasn't sure how successful their objective was. There was no explanation to their works, call to action, or informing their audience of the issues they were addressing.

After listening to the artists speak, it completely changed my interpretation. I recall one of the artists saying that they often got criticized for not have a specific goal to their artwork. If the activists weren't trying to pass a specific policy or repeal something, then what was the point to their work? This was the kind of resistance their work was receiving, and I related to that kind of thinking. But the point she was making was that they were making art, screen printing specifically, to gain support and involvement from people that could relate or wanted to support their cause. It is the act of doing art that inspires innovative thinking. It is not always about perusing a specific goal in politics or local government, but creating awareness through the act of doing art. Art is about promoting creative thinking and allowing people to be aware that their involvement and participation is what matters.

I really enjoyed the lecture because it brought a new perspective on activism for me, but I still think it could have been an even more successful exhibit. The art was clearly addressing issues that made the viewer study the piece and how it related to what it was conveying, but I think the gallery needed more background info. There needed to be something else to help the viewer understand the issue. An ill-informed audience would not have the same appreciation as someone who knew the intention of the artwork. Beautiful work should be understood to the fullest.

Radical Artsits: Timing and Approach is Everything

Radical Media: Rebellious Communication and Social Movements, “Mind Bombs: Woodcuts, Satirical Prints, Flyers, Photomontage, Posters, and Murals”, pages 158–180
Travels in Pornotopia, Citizen Designer, Rick Poynor, pages 58–63

I found the Woodcuts and Politics section of the "Mind Bombs: Woodcuts, Satirical Prints..." article to be very interesting. The artist Kathe Kollwitz came to be known as a radical thinker whose work reflected social issues of abortion, unemployment, gay rights, etc... Her woodcuts had simply imagery that started to appeal to the Nazi regime in the 1920's and 30's. Her work was soon adopted my the Nazi's. It is ironic and sad that an artist, whose voice spoke up for the victimized, ended up being pushed into working for a group that represented everything she was against. The article explained that her simple imagery was easily interpreted in different ways. Although it spoke to a wide audience, her open ended themes worked to her disadvantage.

The article continues with examples of art mediums that challenged political views and government policy. The radical thinking these artists had were masked in humor, simple imagery, word play, and exaggerated images. Political cartoons became a massive phenomenon at the turn of the century that informed metropolitan and country side populations. The patronizing themes of these cartoons and caricatures were despised by governments because of their influence in many social movements and revolutions.

Photomontage was a particularly mocking form of radical art. Mainstream pictures and articles were cut out, spliced, and reorganized to create and read socialist points of view. Taking the enemy's words and reforming them to create your own message was shocking and successful in getting attention. The timing and relationship these various art movements have with their message is what reinvented radical art. Taking a commonly used art form to slowly reinvent it's purpose was intelligently used. The crafty and cunning use of simple images and and exaggerated cartoons or montages of familiar images was what made these artists' points of view effective.

"Citizen Designer" brought up the fear of radical artists being grouped with terrorists during the late 1990's. If anyone spoke against corporate or government decisions, there was the risk of being seen as a threat. AIGA and publications such as Adbusters responded to this ridiculous claim by popularizing their voice and making it a national awareness.

In order for their message to be accepted by alike thinkers across the nation, it was vital for their message to relate to the public. I think it was essential for these groups, to some degree, become manipulators themselves in order for their message to be heard. It was about informing the public and generating a want for change without being too radical. Strategy was to target a specific sector and slowly expand and gain supporters.

This article also made a key observation. Reading this article now could seem arbitrary or obvious to the present day liberal thinker, but it is because these groups were successful that created this awareness. It may seem easy today to promote a radical message and gain support, and that is thanks to groups like AIGA, Adbusters, and the First Things First Manifesto.

Design and Key Events of the 1930s

T I M E L I N E

1930

Censorship to films heighten and revised

Frozen Food commercialized

Pluto is discovered

1931

Empire State Building opened

Star-Spangled Banner approved as national anthem

Whitney Museum of American Art opens in NYC

1932 

Hans Hofmann comes to the US from Germany (influential artist)

Bonus Army march in DC (WWI veterans demand early cash payment of their services)

1933

Ford introduces Model B (V8 engine at a low price)

New Deal (3 r’s: relief, recovery, reform) established by FDR

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps for men)

PWA (Public Works Administration)

NRA (National Recovery Administration)

21^st Amendment ends prohibition (alcohol) 

1934

Dust Bowl begins

Federal Housing Administration

Indian Reorganization Act

1935

            Works Progress Administration

FBI is established

Social Security Act

Alcoholics Anonymous formed

Revenue Act (taxes raised)

1936

Life magazine publishes first issue

Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange

1937

LOOK magazine publishes first issue

  Hindenburg disaster (airship explosion)

Panay Incident (Japanese attack on US Navy gunboat outside of Nanjing)

  Golden Gate Bridge completed in SF

Snow White is released

1938

Fair Labor Standards Act

Hatch Act (aimed at corrupt political practices)

Orson Welles The War of the Worlds broadcasted on radio (alien invasion scare)

1939

Nazi Germany invades Poland, WWII begins

Golden Gate Bridge International Exhibition

NYC World’s Fair

FDR first president to give a speech broadcasted on television

I n t r o d u c t i o n

• National identity very important to establish
• Entertainment provided relief
• “American Scene” mural art promoted 
• Cartoon art, advertisements: political, social commentary
• Radio broadcasts
• Film industry growing
• Photography booming
• Architecture and urban design expansion

   

 

Design Beyond Materialism

The article "Good Citizenship" by Katherine McCoy shed light on graphic design and how it is a platform for liberation. She mentioned past examples of how design has influenced social and political commentary and that this motivation of design needs to be encouraged and expand. McCoy's strong belief is that students of design, along with current designers, have the responsibility to be the voice of social and political movements. She rejects the commercial role designers usually fill, materialism, and under-whleming art projects current schools are assigning. She is asking students of design to become proactive, express themselves in unique ways, and become involved in current social and political forces.

I do agree with McCoy that students have the capability to grow a new voice. I agree that it is uncommon for students to deter from the expected investment of time and energy into materialistic or commercial ideals. She asks designers to bare the load of social and political responsibility, which I feel is responsible for ALL students, and well, everyone. A student has the capability to gain knowledge, have new perspective, and think creatively and passionately about global or national issues, but this is the responsibility of all students not just designers. The article was written in 1995 which is leading up to 2001 and the war in Iraq. This is an interesting gateway to the next decade of political involvement. Her call for activism in 1995 may be responding to a dull scene of graphic design. I see her argument as being more of a call to be active and not really responding to a particular issue or movement at that time. She did not want to see students rest on the media or marketing venues and become safe designers. I see this article as a warning I suppose and a critique towards the young generation giving zero effort to think actively about how they can influence change.

I would say this article can ring true in any decade and during any political or social movement. McCoy wants students to engage. period. Think creatively.