Revolutionary Film Posters

Revolutionary Film Posters: Aesthetic Experiments of Russian Constructivism, 1920-33 is an exhibition just coming to an end at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in New York.

The exhibition comprises of 95 posters including works from Alexander Rodchenko, 'The Stenberg Brothers' (Georgii & Vladimir) and Alexander Naumov. Many of which are the only known surviving examples and have never before been publicly exhibited.

"Reacting to the chaos of the Russian Revolution, the Constructivists sought order and felt it their civic duty to engineer a more stable and harmonious society."

I love the bold colours and dynamic compositions. It's such a shame I've only just found out about it. Don't worry though if you missed it too, all the posters along with photos of the exhibition can be seen here.

Images taken from Tony Shafrazi Gallery.
Via MUBI.

Vintage Circus Posters

These gorgeous, vintage circus posters have been tucked away here for quite a few years. They're American and mostly from the 60'/70's with the exception of the black, red and yellow, Royal Hanneford Circus one, which is from 1990.

I absolutely love the off-set print on the graphics, the sometime garish colours and the big type. The circus would have lots of the posters printed with blank space at the top or bottom to have the dates printed as and when required.

All the above posters are printed onto a thick card and are approx. 357 x 560 mm in size. They're currently part of the AT Open House at 42 Hendon Street, Brighton and have just been added to their new web shop. Quick, grab yourself a bargain vintage poster!

Bass Notes: The film posters of Saul Bass

The last Saul Bass exhibition I remember in the UK was back in 2004 at London's Design Museum. As you would expect from a retrospective of such an influential designer, it was a very inspiring collection of work.

Much of his work was for the film industry and throughout the 60's Bass famously worked with film directors Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock and Otto Preminger producing iconic film posters. Posters we are now going to get the chance to see again thanks to Kemistry Gallery, London.

Bass Notes: The film posters of Saul Bass is a collection of film posters, title credits and film festival posters from the Lloyd Northover donation to the British Film Institute. I'm not sure which posters will be in the exhibition and I can't wait to find out, but to get you in the mood here's a selection of the classics...

Above posters all available to purchase At The Movies.

Harper, Harper, Harper!

How lucky am I? Look at the fabulous birthday gift I received at the weekend.

It's an original Harper, Harper, Harper poster created in 1977 to promote an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Edie, Brett and Charles Harper at the Frame House Gallery, Louisville, Kentucky.

The ladybird is a classic Charley Harper illustration and one he used regularly, so it's great to have a piece that incorporates it.

This poster and many other great Harper prints/posters are now available from Castor + Pollux, Brighton who are now an official Charley Harper retailer!

Christie's Travel and Vintage Poster Auction

These wonderful Olivetti posters are coming up for auction on the 5 November as part of the Christie's Travel and Vintage Poster sale. You can view the ecatalogue here - you won't be disappointed, there are loads of great travel posters, but these Olivetti ones get my bid (or they would if I'd saved a few more pennies this year).

Olivetti Divisumma (above top) by Herbert Bayer (1953) is lot number 252. It's a linen-backed, lithographic print (71 x 51cm) classed as A- condition with an estimation of £1000-£1500.

Olivetti Elettrosumma 22 (above bottom) by Giovanni Pintori is lot number 255. This lithographic print (70 x 49 cm) printed by Arti Grafiche M & G Pirovano in 1956 is not backed, but is classed as A condition and has an estimation of £600-£800.

Find more sale information here. Happy bidding!

Images copyright Christie's.
Via Quad Royal.

Be Kind To Books!

This gorgeous set of 5 Modernist posters were designed by Arlington Gregg circa 1936-40 as part of the WPA Illinois Art Project - Be Kind To Books.

The Works Projects Administration (WPA), previously called the Works Progress Administration were, according to the wisdom that is Wikipedia, "the largest New Deal agency, employing millions to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects. It fed children and redistributed food, clothing, and housing. Almost every community in the United States had a park, bridge or school constructed by the agency, which especially benefited rural and Western populations."

These posters and many more including one of Milton Glaser's iconic 'Dylan' posters and a 1970's Eric Strenger Porsche poster, are due to be auctioned off at New York's, Swann Galleries Auction, May 3rd 2010 (Sale 2213, Modernist Posters). I could spend a serious amount of money at this auction, so it's probably a good job I'm on the other side of the pond!

All images copyright Swann Galleries.