appeal to fear

contemporary advertising






historical propoganda

Russian Suprematism and Constructivism

Kasimir Malevich Mystic Suprematism (black cross on a red oval). 1920-1922.



1926. Film poster for the The Battleship Potemkin by Alexander Rodchenko



El Lissitzky 1919 "Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge."

The movement is often characterized by the use of simple geometric shapes and sharp contrasting colors. Red and white are often used in tandem to represent both the soviet movement and the white counter revolutionaries they defeated. The geometric and abstract qualities of the art is in many cases very similar to the cubist movement that was popular in the west during the same era, but in the case of Russian art, it was more frequently used for propaganda purposes.

Aubrey beardsley "The Peacock Skirt" 1892



Wes Wilson Byrds handbill April 1, 1967



Alphonse Mucha "Slavia" 1896



Alton Kelly/Stanley Mouse Grateful Dead concert poster 1967



Alphonse Mucha "Job" 1896




Alton Kelly/Stanley Mouse "Girl With Green Hair" 1966

Sophie Taeuber-Arp

Military Guards (Die Wachen), 1918.

Sophie Taeuber was a Swiss Dada artist during the first half of the 20th century. This particular piece was created to be a marionette for a retelling of the 18th century play "The King Stag" by Carlo Gozzi.

I like this piece because it reminds me of some of the abstract stop motion animation work created by Tim Burton, and the band Tool.

DURO

DURO is a graffiti artist in New York City who began writing in 1971. He's had many aliases and been associated with many groups, primarily the CIA (Crazy Inside Artists) of which he is vice president.

I don't know that graffiti pieces actually have titles, but i like this one because the shiny, gradient style reminds me of many of the album and magazine covers (like Heavy Metal magazine) that were popular at the time.

Aubrey Beardsley

Aubrey Beardsley, Of a Neophyte, and How the Black Art Was Revealed unto Him by the Fiend Asomuel, 1893

Art Nouveau

Aubrey Beardsley was a Nouveau artist from England in last half of the 19th century. He died at the age of 25. His work is often very sexual, and much of his work served as illustrations of literary works like Salome and Lysistrata.

I like his work as his drawing style reminds me both of the Japanese print style that became popular in Europe, and the crisp black and white reminds me of some of the comic book work produced in the late 60s early 70s.

James Montgomery Flagg (June 18, 1877 – May 27, 1960)

found at http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/617597/The-United-States-Army

"I Want You for the U.S. Army" 1917

This is perhaps the single most iconic poster ever created in America. Every American is familiar with the image, and it was used to recruit members for both world wars. For many Americans, Uncle Sam represents the very spirit of patriotism, and the character has even been immortalized in a number of comic books by DC comics, such as the "Freedom Fighters"

While James Flagg himself may not be as much of a household word as Norman Rockwell or some other American artists, the image he produced easily trumps them.