Monthly Archives: November 2012

BOOKS—WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Jim Clark

For many centuries, books were the virtually sole way to find out what others in other places were thinking about. Since the dawn of printing, artisans of book design and artisans of discursive design have found indescribable gratification in being … Continue reading →

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A.M. CASSANDRE

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jim Clark

One of the most resolved poster artists to grace the era (1890–1940) of the métier’s heyday was A.M. Cassandre. During the 1920’s and 1930’s he designed enticements–particularly for transportation firms–which would impact by way of streamlined composition and surrealist spatiality … Continue reading →

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Posted in Art Deco Posters&Graphics, Illustration Art, Surrealist Posters&Graphics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

PARIS, OF COURSE (First of a series on Paris, and other great cities)

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Jim Clark

Rue de l,arbre sec (Street of the Dry Tree), the site of the gallows in medieval Paris, and also the site of the once-glorious Art Nouveau department store, La Samaritaine, now shut down (just off the right foreground of the … Continue reading →

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CRUISIN’

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Jim Clark

There’s something about the sea, and it has a lot to do with motion. It also has a lot to do with the glamor of joy amidst the unknown. That might seem a bit abstruse for a design project dug … Continue reading →

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Posted in Art Deco Posters&Graphics, Modernist Posters&Graphics, Poster&Graphic Art | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

FRIDA KAHLO

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Jim Clark

Diego Rivera could be termed a happy chef, mixing many gifts of nature and history into revealing and joyous adventures of taste and travel (hard or otherwise). His far less happy partner, Frida Kahlo, was something else. And yet, you … Continue reading →

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PANORAMA DE LA MONTAGNE

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Jim Clark

Panorama de la Montagne 1938 Alexandra Exter (illustrator) Marie Colmont (author) The “piece of resistance”–from the point of view of graphic art– in the Pere Castor series is the  1938 accordion book, that unfolds to 94″ (ht. 9 3/8″) to … Continue reading →

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DIEGO AND FRIDA

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Jim Clark

The paintings and murals of Diego Rivera are not simply impressive in themselves, as evoking dramatic places and events; but they bring about a range of hitherto incongruous historical resources which, in this aggregation, impressively foreshadows new avenues of momentum. … Continue reading →

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PERE CASTOR’S SERIES OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Jim Clark

When we hear the expression, “French Illustrated Books,” our thoughts immediately turn to dazzling, audacious imagery in tandem with chic, often risque literature. But there is a remarkable and much-beloved series of that genre which devotes graphic printing prowess to … Continue reading →

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THE SAGA OF JACQUES DEMY:PAUL AUSTER’S “THE BOOK OF ILLUSIONS”

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Jim Clark

© 2010 James Clark I’ve introduced this piece, before dealing with “The Elephant Man” and “The Straight Story,” because it provides a look at someone else, besides Lynch, who has become haunted by the energies of French Surrealist artists. Moreover, … Continue reading →

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