Monday, 4:00pm
8 August 2022
Graphic design live #4
Ghost signs tour in London; Spanish fruit brands in Valencia; Gilles de Brock in Chaumont; Federico Fellini in Zurich
In August, we are heading to London, Valencia, Chaumont and Zurich for a series of design-related events. Read the Eye Events page to stay up to date with exhibitions, conferences, talks and workshops.
Coming Soon
Ghost signs tours: Bankside and Stoke Newington
24 August 2022, 1pm and 7pm
London, UK
On Wednesday 24 August, Sam Roberts will guide two tours exploring faded histories of London signs. At 1pm, a stroll through Borough’s Bankside will unveil stories of the signs and their associated companies; production techniques; fake (or ‘faux’) ghost signs; the impact of the Second World War; and the area’s industrial heritage. In the evening (7pm) a second tour will commence in Stoke Newington, where Sam Roberts and Roy Reeds will provide you with maps and clues for your own sign-spotting. The evening will end at Stoke Newington Bookshop with Q&A, where both authors will give their insight into London’s hidden histories.
Read Justin Burn’s review of Ghost Signs: Story of London in Eye 103.
Surviving signs of three businesses: Rose Brand Fine Teas, James Ashby & Sons Ltd and Embassy Tea & Coffee, can be spotted at Union Street in Borough, London.
Cover of Ghost Signs: A London Story by Sam Roberts and Roy Reed.
On now
Design Fruits
to 11 September 2022
Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània, Carrer del Museu, 2, 4, 46003 Valencia, Spain
Spain has a rich history of exporting fruit all over the world, and what comes with it is a wealth of designed materials made to distinguish and brand the produce. ‘Design Fruits’ is a result of a research project by Spanish design studio El Vivero, who curated a display of more than 250 tissue papers, 120 boxes and 360 labels designed in Spain since the end of the 1950s. The exhibition shows only a fraction of an ongoing archive, that brings together samples collected over the years from neighbourhood fruit shops, central markets, printers, box factories and fruit marketers.
On view is an archive of over 250 colourful designs of tissue papers used to wrap fruit – a Valencian custom continued for over 100 years.
‘Design Fruits’ exhibition was researched, curated and designed by Spanish studio El Vivero, founded by Florencia Grassi and Leandro Lattes. Photo by Juán Peiró.
On now
Gilles de Brock: if it works, it is not just a temporary solution
to 16 October 2022
Le Signe Centre National du Graphisme, 1 Pl. Emile Goguenheim, 52000 Chaumont, France
Gilles de Brock’s multidisciplinary design practice is distinguishably experimental, often pushing the limits of media, materials and technologies through hacking, programming, crafts and DIY. The monographic exhibition designed by Pernelle Poyet, is a timeline of de Brock’s artistic journey, starting with generative silkscreened and risograph posters, examples of tools adapted to new media, as well as aerographed clothing, tufted rugs and ceramic tiles. Today his studio focuses on digitally printing glazes on bisque tiles using a machine he built and programmed over past few years, which is also on display.
Title of the exhibition, ‘If it works, it is not just a temporary solution’, highlights de Brock’s iterative and experimental cross-disciplinary strategies.
Series of screenprinted and risographed generative posters from 2016 by Gilles de Brock.
On now
Federico Fellini: from drawing to film
to 4 September 2022
Kunsthaus Zürich, Heimplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Prolific Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini used sketching and collaging as tools for developing his distinctive cinematic style and grotesque characters. From Drawing to Film collates over 500 artefacts, including drawings, on-set photographs, costumes and props, posters as well as clips, showcasing his process and craft. The exhibition is supported by series of ongoing events, including open-air screening of Le notti di Cabiria (1957) on 10 August and panel discussion titled ‘Sex Appeal?’ on Fellini’s portrayal of male and female characters on 26 August.
Installation view of ‘Federico Fellini. From Drawing to Film’ featuring posters, drawings, costumes and screenings. Photo by Franca Candrian.
Fellini’s collage from 1972 titled Maria de Sisti as the inn owner. © 2022, ProLitteris, Zurich
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