Power to Imagination: Artists, Posters and Politics; Phantasie an die Macht - Politik im Kunstlerplakat

Hardback

Main Details

Title Power to Imagination: Artists, Posters and Politics; Phantasie an die Macht - Politik im Kunstlerplakat
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:168
Category/GenrePoster art
ISBN/Barcode 9783777438818
ClassificationsDewey:741.674
Audience
General
Illustrations 180 colour illustrations

Publishing Details

Publisher Hirmer Verlag
Imprint Hirmer Verlag
Publication Date 17 October 2013
Publication Country Germany

Description

From the late nineteenth century to the Vietnam Era to Robert Indiana's Hope sculpture for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, avant-garde artists have long drawn on the dual inspirations of utopian ideals and history in the making to create striking posters that reflect the demand for equality, tolerance, freedom, and human rights. With more than one hundred vivid, full-color illustrations by great artists of the past century, Power to the Imagination recounts this story. Included is Picasso's unassuming image of a dove--later commandeered by the Communist "peace" movement--as well as brilliant graphic works by the many artists who came out in support of striking students and workers in Paris in 1968. Among many other artworks, readers are treated to the immense environmental sculptures of Joseph Beuys; Andy Warhol's contentious portraits of political figures, including Mao Tse Tung; and the works by American artists Keith Haring and Jenny Holzer on behalf of AIDS awareness. The illustrations are complemented by essays reflecting on the artworks and the cultural and political issues they addressed. Reaffirming the poster as an effective medium for change, this striking volume is a reminder of art's power to serve an important social, cultural, and political function--and to bring about change.

Author Biography

Jurgen Doering is director of the Graphische Sammlung at the Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg, Germany, where he has curated several exhibitions on poster art.