DD2000; Design Discourse.

Design Discourse; Identifies and develops the student awareness of and skill in the use of language specific to Design research, investigation and design thinking. The theme also introduces an awareness of the distinctions between communication for academic and professional contexts. 
- Review TWO talks by contemporary practitioners based on talks of interiews on the folliwing websites and blogs; diegestalten.tv / ted.com / D&AD blog / AOI blog / aiga.org / itsnicethat.com / thisiscolossal.com.

Shepard Fairey

'Obey To The Better'

I've admired Shepard Fairey's work ever since I was introduced to it a couple of years ago, and when I saw this interview on Gestalten.tv, I just had to review it. Frank Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary graphic designer and illustrator whose work has been seen all over the world. He's one of the best known and most influential street artists, alongside Banksy. His work has been included in galleries all over the world, the most recent being in Copenhagen. Since the mid 1980's he has created outstanding art that is strong, iconic and expressive. However within this interview you also learn that Fairey is a thoughtful, commited and outspoken activist who revives the artistic virtues of standing up for the freedom of speech.  

Fairey starts the interview by explaining the thoughts behind the creation of his work. His opening speech describes how the focus of society is control and power, and what matters most to him is what you can do to shift that focus. He explains how it doesn't matter whether someone doesn't like a particular piece or his work in general, as long as he alters the way people think.

 

Fairey characterises his style as attempting to engage people outside of the usual, narrow elite fine art world. He looks at modern culture as being full of mass communication that can be very overwhelming, which influenced the fact that he thinks art really needs to function as a way to stand out above the clutter of visual noise. The aim behind his creative freedom is to try and make his art both visually arresting and in depth. Throughout his work he uses vibrant and eye-catching imagery to grab the viewers attention, however the image also has some message behind it, either political or social commentary that also provides an overall them of empowerment. 

Fairey continues the interview by explaining that he believes if you want to create something that can make a difference, then the street is where you can prove that. He thinks the risk and the passion of the application in that public form really translates to the viewer and it gives a positive affect to the people who have always thought they were powerless in the face of the government. Through this process, creative artists and viewers end up seeing results, so even if they create art as a way to get quick personal fame, the street can turn into a serious area of art democracy and political dialogue. It's the place that artists play in order to be seen and heard. 

Fairey in response to his previous comments, also explains how he's in a law suit with the associated press over the reference photograph he used to illustrate the Obama poster. Fairey explains his feelings about copyright, and I was rather inspired by his comments and how he sees the issue. He explains that copyright is important and as powerful as it always as has been, however he believes it should relate to exact identical copies, not transformative pieces. For decades artists, musicians, speech writers and authors were creating new works that were inspired by older works but somehow updated the conversation and had new and unique value. So he believes that the law suit is worth fighting because any number of artists that have produced important work in the last Century, their entire bodies of work could be considered copyright infringement and the danger behind this is that people will not make that kind of work for fear of being sued. Not only is it an issue important for him as a street and outspoken artist but also for art in general. I personally think Fairey touches upon a strong issue, and depending how far copyright will and can go, it starts to eliminate being inspired by other artists due to the fact that your inspired aspects could also be seen as copyfright infringement. 

Fairey continues to talk about the method and technique behind his creative work, which I found interesting and inspiring. Fairey explains how the computer is a tool, and just a step in the process he uses to create a piece of work. Due to the fact that he started before the computer era, he knows the end results that he wants and he understands the full possiblity and dimensions within hand-made work. Therefore he doesn't feel bound to the limitations of a computer, which makes him very fortunate in that way. 

The main aspect and technique of Shepard Fairey's work is what I admire and am inspired by the most due to the fact that it's something I want to develop and include in my own work. Fairey explains how screen printing allows him to think of what he wants in his head and then explore and experiment with colour and technique until he achieves something close to what he wants. After he has an initial piece he allows himself  very loose and creative freedom to 'go crazy' and do whatever he wants. Screen printing is a very liberating medium, it allows you to be very passionate and realistic in detail, but simply through process allows you to also enjoy what your doing. When compared to computer, even though it still allows you to experiment in an unlimited way, you personally can't be involved due to the playing surface being a screen and not simply open space. 

The main aspect of this interview that I felt I could relate to was when Fairey describes his feelings towards screen printing and why it's an important method for him. Fairey believes that screen printing allows you to create imagery by hand, and this is more personal and organic than digital creation. People will respond to natural hand-made work, even if it's very subtle. There's something in the translation by hand and by screen printing that yelds something idiosyncratic to that artist and screen printing is important to him for that reason. It's also a great tool of reproduction and collage. I couldn't agree more with this aspect of the interview, the reason I'm attracted to Shepard Fairey's work is mainly because of the screen printing elements he uses and it's also something I look forward to experimenting with in future projects. 

Fairey finishes the talk by reflecting on his personality over the past couple of years and how he feels he's become more socially and politically engaged. He explains how for a number of reasons he's always cared about the big concepts such as 'big brother is watching you' and 'make sure the planet is preserved'. It's the ideas behind his creativity and imagery that has always been important to him, even if he only made a little bit of a difference. He also feels he's matured over the years, mainly due to the fact that he now has children and he cares about the world they inherit, it's not just 'live fast, die young'. For the first time in his life, he's been looking at the world a little less selfishly. 

I chose this interview with Shepard Fairey in particular because not only is he an artist that I've similiared myself with before, but he also uses techniques that I find inspiring. I feel the thoughts behind his work make him different in comparison to other illustrators, as he explains in this interview there's a process and a reasoning behind every aspect of imagery. Not only is his work visually beautifully, it also has a purpose, and I think it pushes the boundaries of graphic design and illustration. It's not just about creating images in your own style, it's also about adding your opinion without speech. I also admire the technique behind his work. Due to a contemporary audience, digital composition and creativity has become a lot more advanced and easier to create exactly what you want, and I admire the hand-made quality that Fairey bases his entire body of work on. This is something that I'm definitely experimenting with and wanting to develop within my own studies. 

Shepard Fairey; obeygiant.com

Word Count; 1,375 :)