Paper Forms: Li Hongbo

Curator: Caleb Bennett
date: May 17, 2013
Categories: Environmental Graphic Design, Experience Design
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This post is reserved for one of those things that simply blew my mind upon seeing it. Li Hongbo has created various human forms from thousands of pieces of paper for his exhibition “Pure White Paper,” which was held last December at Dominik Mersch Gallery in Australia. As the video indicates, each piece is glued together manually—one by one—to create the entire form. Untouched, they feel quiet and familar. However, as Hongbo demonstrates the flexibility in their craft, they come alive in a completely unexpected and bizarre way.
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Ambitious Type: Sean Freeman

Curator: Caleb Bennett
date: May 16, 2013
Categories: Illustration, Promotional Design & Advertising, Typographic Design
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Every time I look to hire someone for an ambitious type exploration, Sean Freeman’s name is often at—or near—the top of the list. I am in constant awe of his creative ambition, and his level of execution is top notch. His poster for the Decemberists (above) immediately caught my eye. The Decemberists are one of my favorite bands, and the poster is well-suited for their folky sound and whimsical lyrics. It’s also quite indicative of Freeman’s incredible range.

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Thinking in Color: Andrew Kuo

Curator: Caleb Bennett
date: May 15, 2013
Categories: Design for Entertaining, Information Design
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On the simplest level, there is something about Andrew Kuo’s paintings that just make me feel good. At a distance, they are merely brilliant geomoetric displays of shape and color. Upon closer inspection, they become color-coded representations of scattered, candid and often-funny or anxious thoughts and feelings he had during specific moments in his life. For instance, one painting, titled Watching TV (on 3/23/13), from his latest exhibition “You Say Tomato” at Marlborough Chelsea, is a representation of things he viewed over an eight-hour period contrasted with what each of those situations reminded him of. Often depicted in the work are intimate—yet in many ways relatable—relationships with people, food, sports teams, New York City and so forth. 
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Gig Posters: Dirk Fowler

Curator: Caleb Bennett
date: May 14, 2013
Categories: Illustration, Typographic Design
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I have to admit a slight bias with this one due to the fact that he was my college professor, but Dirk Fowler’s simplicity and wit continues to amaze and inspire me. His knack for combining separate but familiar images in new ways often seems effortless. As a result, his limited edition concert posters for the likes of Wilco and Loretta Lynn have since become collectors items (along with many others).

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Master Sign Writing: David Smith

Curator: Caleb Bennett
date: May 13, 2013
Categories: Typographic Design
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If you’re anything like me, and you come across a good music video or something of the like, you immediately hit the replay button as soon as it’s over. Except, they’re usually about five minutes long (give or take). This beautifully captured short film by Danny Cooke featuring the enviable sign writing work of David (Dave) Smith is nearly 18 minutes long. I watched it three times in a row.

 

In addition to sign writer, Smith calls himself a glass guilder, graphics artist and reverse glass artist—each of which is on full display in the film. Cooke does a brilliant job capturing the essence of each process and technique Smith employs. The video gets really good for me at the five-minute mark when you begin to see the stages of hand-drawn sketches. It only goes up from there.
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