Gilbert and George

Gilbert and George are unique contemporary artists with a distinctive style.
I have always liked the atheistic appearance of their work. The vivid bold colours used in their large scale pictures are particularly striking. Producing pictures that are made up of large black lined frames or cells placed together (there is a stained glass effect) they bear a resemblance to church windows. Gilbert and George have always said they do not believe in religion, but religious ideas and taboos are a common part of their work. They tackle social subject matters, through their belief that art should be for everyone. This has sometimes been interpreted in a very negative way, for example the work ‘Paki’ has been said to glamourise skinhead culture.

Their work is clearly very personal. They do not appear to hold back their thoughts and feelings in terms of expression, the work can be very explicit which of course will create controversy. They have used urine, semen and excrement for pieces of work. My opinions on this are similar to those on Toscani and the issues of using shock to create attention and whether it is necessary. Personally I think their work is amusing rude and clever.

References

Evening Standard - Monday 11th May 09

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2006/jan/15/art.gilbertandgeorge

http://www.tate.org.uk/

http://www.moma.org/

Ray Gun (magazine)

Raygun was an alternative rock roll magazine that was first published in 1992. The magazine was markedly set apart from others of the time and still today (despite experimental design seen more often) the designs are unique, have remained popular and are being discovered by a new generation.
Whilst researching Raygun I was drawn to the recognisable and distinct cover design. They can, at first glance, appear jumbled cluttered and often illegible however there is amazing talent in the way the have been composed, the typography is particularly beautiful with the use of experimental abstract fonts and wording.
David Carson was art director of Ray Gun, his non traditional approach to graphic design was a perfect match for Raygun style. Many of the covers have surreal feel to them with an article starting on the cover or interviews that were purposely covered by a photograph.
Raygun did not only have cutting edge design but also featured many bands and music artists that had not yet been recognised by other big magazines such as Rolling Stones.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gun_(magazine)
Ray Gun, Out of control - Marvin Scott Jarrett and Dean Kuipers
http://www.chris-ashworth.com/ray-gun-publish/ray-gun-magazine-covers/

Modernism Postmodernism

Modernism was a movement that began at the turn of the last century. It rejected past ideals of the enlightenment, bourgeois and elitist culture that dominated society. The movement sought to emphasis the importance of progression. They aspired to create a better idealistic society. The Bauhaus, for example, believed in the harmony of form and function of objects – changing ideas through art and design. During the many western wars (ideals of society: capitalism vs. communism) of the early 20th century, the modernist movement was a positive influence in the ideas of a better future for people.
Postmodernism emerged after the wars that took place during the early 20th century. It was a rejection (and reaction) to many of the principles of modernism. It embraced many elements of art and design that modernism had abandoned such as decoration and complexity of design and reintroduced classical style features.
Despite postmodernism rejection of modernist ideals they can be seen as two movements that had to naturally follow after each other, as capitalism dominates the western world modernism could not survive as an unchanging movement. Its aims in creating an ideal, possibly perfect, society does not work with the consumerism and markets of a capitalist society.


References
Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism - Fredric Jameson
Political Ideologies: An Introduction - Andrew Heywood
www.associatedcontent.com/article/45536/madonna_postmodernism_and_capitalism.html
www.tate.org.uk/collections/glossary/definition.jsp?entryId=40