Connecting The Past And The Future15 January - 29 May 2011

Connecting the past and the future
Retrospective from the collection with work from the 20th and 21st century
15 January - 29 May 2011

The past and the present are always connected. And this has persuaded the Graphic Design Museum to make connections between the history and the future of graphic image culture. The exhibition Connecting the Past and the Future shows a selection from the characteristic collection of the museum and makes surprising associations between these objects. From Albert Hahn and Wim Crouwel to the products of EL Hema, work by Stefan Sagmeister and the software tools by John Maeda and Jonathan Puckey.

The exhibition displays for the first time work from the museum's historical collection coupled to new and recently acquired work made in the 21st century. It shows the bombardment of images and meanings around us that arose through the explosion of media and the proliferation of visual styles.

In Connecting the Past and the Future we show how Graphic Design is an area where designers develop personal fascinations, bring small and large social issues to our attention, link art, design and science and translate information into image.

Connecting the Past and the Future

1981
Klaus Staeck
Im Mittelpunkt steht immer der Mensch

Klaus Staeck is a well-known, politically involved designer from Germany and produces satirical images. The power is in the seemingly simple combination of image and text. This image shows at a glance exactly what Staeck wants the viewer to think about. In the ‘sixties and ‘seventies, Staeck's satirical work often succeeded in provoking conservative politicians, which often resulted in legal battles. His fame only grew thanks to these struggles.

2004
Design for the European Flag
Rem Koolhaas OMA-AMO
Flag design

Rem Koolhaas (1944) OMA and AMO often work on assignments together. The best known project until now is their participation at the request of the European Commission in a brainstorm about the visual communication of Europe. Top architect Rem Koolhaas (OMA) had already produced a design for a European flag and identity in 2004, a sort of barcode with the colours of all the flags of the European countries next to each other. The flag symbolises how European countries undertake things together while still retaining their own cultural identity.

Darwin Chair - Stefan Sagmeister
One of the major items on show during the exhibition Connecting the Past and the Future is the Darwin Chair by the multidisciplinary designer Stefan Sagmeister.
This prototype of Stefan Sagmeister's Darwin Chair was developed and presented by Droog Design in 2010 at the Design Basel art fair. The Darwin Chair is made up of 200 sheets of paper, each with a different print. When the top sheet is worn or dirty, the user can tear off this sheet or turn it over and use the next sheet as a seat. The graphic patterns on the 200 sheets of paper are a reference to the evolution theory and show the start of flora and fauna until the digital revolution taking place now.
The acquisition of the Darwin Chair prototype was made possible by the BankGiro Loterij.