©Hom LiouWho else but Stefan Sagmeister could state that “Style=Fart”? The prolific graphic designer, whose works ranged from Grammy-winning album cover for The Talking Heads, as well as Lou Reed, The Rolling Stones, David Byrne, Aerosmith, and Pat Metheny. However, it was his non-conventional approach to typography, with his 1999 promotional poster, in which he etched out information of an AIGA’s speaking engagement on his body with an Exacto-knive, an act that has forever ranked him as one of the key provocateurs in contemporary graphic design community.
More recently, the designer released Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far, a book/exhibition that stemmed from Sagmeister’s habitual list making and slogan display at public spaces during the last 7 years.. The exhibition, which took place at Deitch Projects’ Grand Street Gallery, saw a 3-story high inflatable gorilla, with a sign “Everybody always thinks. . .”, on the rooftop of the gallery. Inside, on display, a continuation of the sign outside, along with his other new designs . But unlike other art exhibits, Sagmeister welcomed a lively interaction between his works and the audience. Everything from interactive computer projection to a “steam” chamber, where other prominent designers, such as Milton Glasner (creator of I Heart NY) and Massimo Vignelli (designer of the NYC subway sign system), put on a impromptu live-doodling show on the fogged up gallery windows. Another ingenious display is a wall of interweave bananas, composed from 7,200 bananas at different stage of ripeness. The statement “Self-confidence Produces Fine Results” is spelled in green bananas against a wall of yellow one. As the exhibit progress on, the bananas will ripen and the statement will disappear with it.
If you missed the exhibition, the companion book, also with the same title, is currently available at bookstores near you or online.
Deitch Projects Gallery
76 Grand Street | Map
New York, NY 10013
Exhibition Date: 01.31.2008 ~ 02.23.2008
» Deitch Projects Gallery
» Stefan Sagmeister
» Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far
©Hom Liou 
©Hom Liou 
©Hom Liou 
©Hom Liou
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