Typopass

Critical design and conceptual typography

14. October 2009. – 15. November
MegnyitóOpening: October 13, 2009, 7:30 pm
KurátorokCurators: Angel Judit, Hegyi Dóra, László Zsuzsa
The project focuses on typography, a visual language that can be interpreted both in the field of art and design. The exhibition present historical and contemporary projects and publications from the boundary of design and the visual arts in three groups: Typographical utopias, Anti- and parallel design, Subversive design.

A utopian approach to design first appeared in the modernist movements, questioning the ornamental function of design and lining it up for social and political goals. The sixties and seventies saw the appearance of anti-design; as a means of expressing a critical attitude, more and more artists turned to deliberately amateur DIY solutions.

Today, the design elements that were created originally out of political and social commitment have become freely interchangeable stylistic elements, devices of marketing, making the political decoding and conscious use of the diverse visual languages necessary for the critical approach.

The exhibition presents the historical and contemporary projects and publications from the boundary of design and the visual arts in three groups: Typographical utopias, Parallel design, Subversive design.

Anti- and parallel design
The degree zero of typography, handwriting, or typewritten, photocopied, stapled publications are not always shortcomings but the "trademarks" of political, cultural and market resistance. Eastern-European neo-avant-garde artists and samizdat publishers often use such solutions as a revolt against the "good taste" and professionalism representative of institutions. This segment focuses on Eastern-European artists’ publications, historical and contemporary practices applying deliberately rudimentary and unpretentious design techniques.