Typography, Herb Lubalin and Japanese Zen.
Sleeping in the shade of a tree is a poster with motif inspired by Japanese design and typography, as well as allusions to Herb Lubalin and Ginzburg’s magazines. Herb Lubalin is one of the pioneers for modern use of typographical instruments in art and design.
[…] this period Lubalin was particularly struck by the differences in interpretation one could impose by changing from one typeface to another, always “fascinated by the look and sound of words (as he) expanded their message with typographic impact.”*
Lubalin worked with records and magazine designs, as well as packing and identity solutions, and he is the father of the famous and widely used font Avant Garde.
“Avant Garde was Lubalin’s signature, and in his hands it had character; in others’ it was a flawed Futura-esque face.”**
In Sleeping in the shade of a tree, I have been inspired by Lubalin and his way of communicating through typographic instruments. The typographic expression along with the Japanese forms, creates the tree and gives a sense of calm and rest. Drawing a circle seems like an easy task, but in Japanese zen calligraphy, that task is a bit more complicated than we think. The circle (Ensõ) can be full of power or weakness - and the ability to draw a circle is exposed by external factors such as the form of day, mind mood, etc. In interior, one can recognize the circle through Japanese minimalism. Where the use of nature and “honest” materials such as stone, wood, linen, paper etc are applicable. The combination of the circle and the tree symbolizes the power and tranquility, and is emphasized by the shape and message of the typography. Symmetry, the simple form and respect for nature characterize the interior of Japanese design and in art and illustration in general.
See also: http://www.designishistory.com/1960/herb-lubalin/
Also read: http://wallroom.no/blogg/hva-har-bildet-med-katta-george-nelson-og-haute-couture-til-felles/
*Snyder, Gertrude. “Herb Lubalin: Art Director, Graphic Designer and Typographer.” Graphis: International Journal of Graphic and Applied Art ISSN 0017-3452 41 (Jan-Feb 1985): 56-67. **Heller, Steven. “Herb Lubalin: Rule Basher.” U & lc ISSN 0362-6245 25 (Summer 1998): 8-11.
#Pictures #Painting #Drawing #Art #Room #Wall #Architecture #Interior #Frame #Japan #Illustration #Zen