I popped down to the Lee Goater exhibition at Leeds Gallery. I found interesting as this is clearly a self-set project, however there seems to be a little more to it. There are sponsorships and collaborators involved, but it is under the name of designer Lee Goater. However, what I particularly find interesting about the exhibition is that it is graphic design in the realm of art. I have always been interested in the relationship between fine art and graphic design, and it is something that is constantly on my mind. I feel that this module is helping me understand subtle nuances between the two disciplines, despite the obvious differences. This is graphic design performing a function to communicate a rather elaborate rationale.
Using the medium of graphic design gives the exhibition a more inviting and less intimidating atmosphere. There is communication and and participation that you would not find in an art gallery and this helps the exhibition become a more social and accessible experience.
The idea of design functioning as art is something that can only be achieved through a self-set graphic design project. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg for the graphic design exhibition. I feel that designers will be able to innovate the white space of the gallery into something more engaging than fine art. While I very much enjoy looking at art myself, the experience is more insular and personal. I feel graphic design is something that can activate discourse, and be engaging in a way which fine art is neglected by fine art.
Making graphic art accessible for everyone, Lee Goater’s Anatomy of Autonomy uses a restricted pallet of bold design shapes to create a multitude of different selves. The characters represent different genders, ages, and cultures. Hairstyles, mouths, eyes – and sunglasses and fez hats – let the individual create their own identity, or autonomy, using the anatomy of these parts. The concept makes for some interesting combinations and a representative cross-section of society.
There’s definitely a fun element to the design and to the gallery space. The exhibition has moving projections, magnets of the design shapes for you to create your own face, along with a table complete with card, stencils, and stamps to make your own identity to take away. There is also an app to download called the ‘Make a Face’ from iTunes and from Google Play to create your own face.
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