For this assignment, I’ll explore different images that communicate strong political, cultural or social messages by using fundamental design elements such as balance, symmetry, rhythm, etc.
PAINTINGS (1920-1940)
Broadway Boogie Woogie (Piet Mondrian) [1942-43]
Image from this personal website. Painting from The Museum of Modern Art.
Inspired by his stay in New York, Mondrian attemps to represent the city with its sights, its music (jazz, notably), movement and action. The dots on the yellow lines create rythm and flow, while the whole piece is actually well balanced due to the gray stops and large white spaces.
Dance. An Objectless Composition (Alexander Rodchenko) [1915]
Image from Wikipedia.
Although this painting is 5 years too early according to the year constraints, I think this is a great example of rhythm in an image. We can’t recognise any character in the painting, but the movement of the colors and shapes we can create our own actors that are drawing this choreography.
POSTERS (1940-1960)
"It CAN happen here" (1942)
This World War II poster uses scale to show how it is important to stop the enemy from imposing its ideologies.
"More Production" (1941-45)
Many WWII posters focus on production and the importance of everyone in helping the greater cause. This poster clearly shows what is the goal of being more productive.
ALBUM COVERS (1960-1980)
These two album covers from Miles Davis really struck me as having a great flow while also having a lot to look at. The image is not too hard to follow if you let your eyes follow the direction of the main elements.
Live-Evil (Miles Davis) [1971]
Image from Amazon.
Bitches Brew (Miles Davis) [1970]
Image from Amazon.
