TWBA, Paris, France.
Twenty-five years ago the HIV/AIDS virus began killing thousands andinfecting hundreds of thousands more. Although the western world was hitunaware, the disease had been coursing through the third world’sbloodstream for years before. When Europe and the Americas were directlyimpacted, however, curative and preventative measures were graduallyinstituted and awareness began. Even in this hyper media, informationsaturated age, printed pieces of paper continue to influence andinspire, incite and inform. Anyone who says this is hyperbole shouldlook closely at Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Awareness Posters 1985-2010 at MassArt (Massachusetts College of Art and DesignIntervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Awareness Posters1985-2010 at MassArt (Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
The poster, a universal medium and, arguably, the most affordablemeans of accessibly conveying cautionary messages, has been essential inthe war against AIDS. Before viral videos circulated throughout theweb, posters held sway and crossed all boundaries. Today posters go
where WiFi cannot.
Curated by Elizabeth Resnick, Professor and Chair of Graphic Design at MassArt, and Javier Cortes, Partner and Creative Director at Korn Design, Boston, Graphic Intervention draws from an extensive archive of arresting, graphic, intense, and fearless international public health announcements.
“With approximately 150 examples from 44 countries thisexhibition presents a comprehensive overview of the diverse visualstrategies employed by government agencies, community activists,grassroots organizations, and motivated citizens to educate the localpopulation. From Papua New Guinea to Denmark and Venezuela to Morocco,these posters demonstrate the different approaches used for discussionof a socially complex subject,” say its organizers.
For more information go here.And contact the gallery (galleryinfo@massart.edu) to order theprofusely illustrated catalog. Incidentally, the exhibition istravel-ready for other venues and institutions.
Anon. Hong Kong.
Ismail Anil Guzelis, Turkey.
Fang Chen, China.
Andrew Lewis, Canada.
Eduardo Barrera, Mexico.
Catalog cover.