Global Persuasion: Original Mid-Century Modern Posters at International Poster Gallery International Poster Gallery proudly presents Global Persuasion: Original Mid-Century Modern Posters, a show and sale of original vintage posters from 1945—1965. On view now through Nov. 21, 2012.
Hollywood Bowl, a destination that Klein knew well from his time living in Los Angeles. The poster was so successful that the airline printed it twice, first in the late 1950s with a prop plane, then in the early 1960s with a jet, as seen in the exhibition.
The second style of the period, the International Typographic, or Swiss Style, was also perfectly suited to the increasingly connected world. Corporations sought international identification and global events such as the Olympics called for universal, pictogram or non-word based solutions. Highly structured, systematic designs were needed to achieve safety, order and clarity on everything from highways and airports to product instructions and catalogs.
Influenced by the Bauhaus and Tshichhold’s New Typography, this style developed in Switzerland in the late Forties and Fifties. It employed basic typographic elements with strict graphic rules and often replaced illustration with stark, “modern” photography. The concert posters of Josef Muller-Brockman seen in the exhibit represent the classic apotheosis of this style – cool, elegant and systematically abstract. Another fine example is Erik Nitsche’s “Atoms for Peace” poster for General Dynamics. In 1955, Nitsche became Art Director for the company, a leading multi-division technology firm most famous for building the first nuclear submarine. There, Nitsche created several spectacular series of posters promoting the conglomerate’s various disciplines. “Atoms for Peace” was created shortly after his appointment and was produced for the first International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, which took place in Geneva. The conference examined the peaceful applications of atomic technology in a world still shaken by the advent of nuclear weaponry. Nitsche’s poster is notable for having been designed by a corporate participant in the exhibition, and its design reflects the unifying, cross-cultural nature of the event.
Like the Baby Boom Style, the use of the International Typographic Style spread rapidly throughout the world, and is still the leading design language of the modern world.
“Mid-Century posters, which are exploding in popularity right now, represent a monumental shake-up in the field of graphic design,” comments International Poster Gallery owner Jim Lapides. “These artists adapted to the evolving mentality of post-war consumers with unprecedented style and success and are now securing their status as Mid-Century icons.”
In addition to gallery shows and special exhibitions, IPG’s award-winning website, www.internationalposter.com offers one of the largest, most comprehensive online collection of vintage advertising posters in the world. Originally launched in 1998, the site contains nearly 5,000 images accessible through a powerful search engine.
Editor’s Note:
• Background and additional digital color images available.
• Interviews with gallery owner Jim Lapides are encouraged.
