poster
Objects: Matt’s Stuff: Handwritten
Inspired by the packaging for Matt’s Agnès Varda box set,
some lovely examples of handwritten text used as design elements.
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Objects: Matt’s Stuff
It’s been a month since my last post. Is it even still relevant? Yes — especially when I have friends who so kindly answered my questions about their beloved possessions. In fact, I could probably tangent off their responses.
Matt — an amazing drummer, all around good guy, and one of the biggest cinephiles I know — owns hundreds of movies, each significant in their own way –
– partly for their monetary value:
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Tangent from: The Thin Man
I’ve recently been on a Thin Man kick. This involves reading The Thin Man and then watching and re-watching all the movies from the series. I’ve realized that the subsequent movies aren’t as wonderful as the very first, but I’m happy that the witty banter between the husband and wife team played by William Powell and Myrna Loy (a great pairing) remain clever and charming throughout. I’ll admit that The Thin Man is also the only Dashiell Hammett novel I’ve read (though certainly not the only Hammett film adaptation I’ve seen) and I’m eager to read more of his work.
Just as charming are the film posters for the movie, with the lovely type from the time period and (surprise, surprise) a lot of images of Nick and Nora Charles, my favorite detective team.
Into the Sunset: Spaghetti Westerns
Geographically, Spaghetti Westerns are filmed nowhere near the American West, but they’re obviously about/influenced by it. These low-budget films introduced an international audience to cinematic and musical talents and maintain a significant place in film culture and history.
They’ve also produced some badass film posters.
Kid: Books of Wonder
Last Friday I had the day off and decided to visit AIGA to check out a great exhibition full of innovative and inspiring ways to use type and material. Since I was in the neighborhood, I decided to stop by Books of Wonder, where I’m guaranteed a treat in the form of beautifully illustrated and produced books, as well as yummy cupcakes.
Here’s a visual summary of my visit.
Kid: The Tramp (and The Kid)
The recreation of heartwarming scenes and the combination of varying colorful type make for some very sweet and touching film posters for the Tramp’s The Kid.
The Wife: Architecture In Helsinki
Joan Castleman’s thoughts on Nordic building designs are evident when she describes an acquaintance’s features: “…I was formally introduced to the president, a man of my age named Mr. Timo Kristian with a stern face not unlike Finnish architecture.”
She is clearly not thinking of the upbeat playful pop that is Architecture in Helsinki. One can see how the bright cartoon charm of their packaging, video, and photos is an accurate representation of their sound.
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The Wife: To Walk A Mile In Your Heels
There’s nothing like cross-dressing to give you some perspective.
Anyway, that’s what I enjoy about movies that involve playing dress-up. The protagonist develops: an awareness of his/her surroundings; an appreciation for his/her colleagues, peers, and companions; and an understanding of the other gender, as well as his/her self. Plus, it makes for good comedy.
Maneaters: El Matador
Let me be clear about this: I do not condone bullfighting. I think it is a cruel, barbaric,and unnecessary sport. I fully support PETA’s campaign in Europe to end it.
I am, however, fascinated by the grace and glamour of the matador and can understand how Manet and Hemingway were inspired by them.