The Design Center at Philadelphia University hosts The Graphic Imperative: An Exhibition of International Posters for Peace, Social Justice and the Environment, 1965-2005, April 3 to May 23, 2006. The exhibition coincides with the citywide DesignPhiladelphia celebration.
Posters make ideas for social change publicly visible and accessible by recording struggles for peace, justice and liberation from oppression for all peoples and the environment. These messages of anger, determination, courage and hope cross borders of time and place. They become crucial weapons in humanity’s fight for rights. Some have become icons that have changed the way we view our institutions, our world and ourselves.
This exhibition of socio-political posters provides a window to an age of change, utilizing the power of visual metaphor and at times, savage irony and humor. Themes from the past four decades include solidarity, liberation, racism, sexism, human rights, civil rights, environmental concerns, AIDS, war, literacy and tolerance. Curators Chaz Maviyane- Davies and Elizabeth Resnick of Massachusetts College of Art and Frank Baseman of Philadelphia University have selected over 100 works, endeavoring to show the social, political and aesthetic concerns of many cultures in a single exhibition. In delineating themes and contrasting social realities, The Graphic Imperative aims to focus on the issues of our turbulent times.
First shown at MassArt’s Bakalar Gallery in fall 2005, The Graphic Imperative will travel to AIGA’s national headquarters in summer 2006 after leaving The Design Center.
The public opening for The Graphic Imperative is Wednesday, April 5, 2006, 5 pm to 7 pm in The Design Center at Philadelphia University, the Goldie Paley House, 4200 Henry Avenue in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. The exhibition is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. For more information about the exhibition, visit www.TheGraphicImperative.org
The Design Center at Philadelphia University (TDC) promotes the appreciation of design in everyday life. Addressing a broad audience, TDC furthers the awareness and understanding of design, both past and present, through exhibitions, research, education and the stewardship and interpretation of its collection.
The Graphic Imperative was mounted in conjunction with DesignPhiladelphia, a citywide celebration of the design arts that took place April 1 – 9, 2006. For more information, visit www.designphiladelphia.org
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