Sunday, 10:30am
13 June 2010

Stop, look, listen

john ridpath
the events department
Design history
Graphic design
Illustration
Posters

A preview of Black Dog’s latest exhibition: ‘Modern British Posters’

A new exhibition showcasing the best of British poster design opens at Black Dog Space tomorrow. The show coincides with the launch of Paul Rennie’s Modern British Posters: Art, Design & Communication (Black Dog Publishing).

In the book, Rennie argues that posters are more than beautiful bits of printed paper, but that ‘their status as historical artefacts and their connection to the larger themes of social progress and collective identity combine to present a bigger story.’ This big collection spans the period from 1918 to the late 1960s, and visitors can look forward to piecing together their own interpretation of Britain’s graphic narrative. Additional historical background and analysis can be found in Rennie's ‘Social Vision’ article in Eye 52.

Top: ‘Get Skilled Aid’, Manfred Reiss, 1940s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Below: ‘The Rye Marshes’, Paul Nash, 1932, Shell Mex & BP.

Modern British Poster design

Modern British Poster design

Above: ‘Look! Before Opening!’, Roland Davies, 1950s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Below: ‘Make Sure They’re Safe’, Anon., 1950s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Modern British Poster design

Modern British Poster design

Above: ‘Keep Them Off The Road’, Anon., 1950s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Below: ‘Wait for the traffic to stop’, Anon., 1960s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Modern British Poster design

Modern British Poster design

Above: ‘Always wear a safety helmet’, Anon., 1970s, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

14 June > 13 August 2010
Modern British Posters
Black Dog Space
10a Acton St
London, WC1X 9NG
www.blackdogonline.com

Eye magazine is available from all good design bookshops and at the online Eye shop, where you can order subscriptions, single issues and back issues. The Summer issue, Eye 76, will be a music special. You can read a selection of pages on Eye Before You Buy on Issuu. Student subscriptions are half price, bit.ly/EyeStudentOffer.