The Design of Dissent
Milton Glaser, Mirko Ilic, and Civilization
February 2 — June 16, 2017
The Black Panther Newspaper, art directed by Emory Douglas, 1969–1970.
Silence=Death, created by ACT–UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), 1986.
Do Women Have To Be Naked To Get Into the Met. Museum? Designed by the Guerrilla Girls, 1989.
American Bible Belt, designed by John Yates, 1995.
The Design of Dissent is a survey of prominent graphic works of social and political protest and critique spanning the last fifty years addressing war, racism, human rights, poverty, environmental protection, gun control, and corporate greed.
Throughout history, in a constant struggle to create a better and more just world, people have raised their voices in protest against corruption, wrongdoing, and the exploitation of power. The most effective designers have used their skills, and the means at their disposal, to create graphic responses that educate and spread these messages of defiance.
Originally curated by Milton Glaser and Mirko Ilic, The Design of Dissent was displayed in 2005 at The School of Visual Arts – NY. A portion of this exhibition is on loan from the School of Visual Arts – NY. The new iteration, curated in collaboration with Civilization, is a direct reaction to the state of current affairs. It is our responsibility to question, challenge, and communicate dissent wherever necessary to protect those freedoms we so value.
Designers
Ahmet Ogut
Alex Briseno
April Greiman
Archie Boston
Barbara Kruger
Bulent Erkmen
Civilization
Copper Greene
Courtney Gooch
Dan Reisinger
Daniel Jasper
David Tartakover
Dejan Krsic
Emory Douglas
Ewa Wlostowska
Experimental Jetset
Fang Chen
Gabriel Freeman
Gran Fury
Guerrilla Girls
Hernan Ibanez
Hjalti Karlsson
James Victore
Jason Sturgill
Jennifer Tolo
Jessica Walsh
John Yates
Joshua Berger
Joshua Chen
Ken Garland
Kyle Goen
Mauro Bubbico
Max Spector
Milton Glaser
Mirko Ilic
Monica Schlang
Nancy Hoefig
Niko Courtelis
Patrick Thomas
Paula Scher
Pentagram
Plazm
Primo Angeli
Sener Ozmen
Seymour Chwast
Silence = Death
Sonja Freeman
Stefan Sagmeister
Sue Coe
Tibor Kalman
Tom Geismar
Trio Sarajevo
Trudy Cole-Zielanski
Valerie Thai
Woody Pirtle
Curators
Milton Glaser
To many, Milton Glaser is the embodiment of American graphic design. He co-founded the revolutionary Pushpin Studios with Seymour Chwast, founded New York Magazine with Clay Felker, established Milton Glaser, Inc., and teamed up with Walter Bernard to form the publication design firm WBMG. He also designed the infamous I heart NY campaign. His work is part of several permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; The Israel Museum, Jerusalem; the National Archive, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, New York.
Mirko Ilic
Mirko Ilic, born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, illustrated and art directed posters, record covers, and comics in Europe before moving to the U.S. in 1986. He has served as art director for the international edition of Time and the New York Times Op-Ed pages. In 1995, he established Mirko Ilic Corp., a graphic design and 3-D computer graphics and motion picture title studio. Ilic has taught at Cooper Union and the School of Visual Arts. He is the co-author of Genius Moves, Handlettering, Anatomy of Design, Presenting Shakespeare, Stop Think Go Do, and Lettering Large, all with Steven Heller.
Civilization
Civilization is a design practice that works with causes, clients and partners that share their commitment for creating positive change. They do this by building identity systems, digital experiences, printed materials, environmental graphics and exhibitions. Through hosting workshops, lectures, their interview series–Beyond This Point, and their non-profit gallery, Non-Breaking Space, they hope to inspire conversation and connection. They are the recipient of the National Design Award for Communication Design from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Webby Award for Best Activist Website. Their internationally recognized work is included in the permanent collection of SFMOMA and the Milton Glaser Design Archives at SVA.
Events
Oaths + Manifestos
March 22, 2017 — 7–9pm
What is the function of a manifesto? Why must architects, doctors, and many professionals swear to an oath, but not graphic designers? Graphic designers have an incredible power to form attitudes and shape decisions. We are curious to learn why this is often underestimated. In this edition of To Be Determined, we turn our attention to manifestos and oaths in art, design, and other professional practices. Perhaps through this exploration, we can work towards an ethics of design, whether universal or personal. To Be Determined is a discussion group founded by Nicolas Meier and Nimi Einstein in Portland, Oregon. FREE tickets available March 15th.
Show + Tell—Design for Change
March 29, 2017 — 6:30–8:30pm
Do you have any ongoing projects that speak to social justice or political change? With the current climate, graphic design takes on an even more important role in being a voice for the underserved. Sign up to discuss your project and get on-the-spot feedback from your peers. Show + Tell is a design critique meet-up dedicated to creating a supportive community that values honest feedback. FREE tickets available March 22nd.
Dissent, when at its best, is fueled by empathy and the idea that other people matter. If somebody is hurt or victimized, we are all hurt or victimized. It is necessary for dissent to be expressed. It has to be expressed, because to protect democracy, it’s the only hope we have.Milton Glaser
Gallery
