Globalization VERSUS a cultural identity
When you travel around the world, you often can't tell where you are when you are indoors - everything looks similar. We belong to a global design village.
The Levin Institute (The State University of New York), points out
that "although there is no consensus on the consequences of
globalization on national cultures, many people believe that a people’s
exposure to foreign culture can undermine their own cultural identity." LINK
Garth Walker is a Graphic Designer with an interest in reinforcing
a unique cultural identity that was already evident in our post-democratic
environment. He was the founder of Orange Juice Designs (hence ijusi),
and also of Mister Walker - another Design agency in Durban.
Read this interview (courtesy of 10and5.com - Jessica Hunkin), if you
are interested in finding out more about what Walker. LINK to interview
This Exhibition celebrates the ijusi magazine
and showcases Walker's idea of 'Design based in African Experience'.
Garth Walker's intention in creating the ijusi magazine was to encourage and promote a visual design language rooted in our own South African experience.This year (2014) marks 20 years of ijusi with 29 issues. A book - which is in progress - will be the 30th issue.
Garth Walker's intention in creating the ijusi magazine was to encourage and promote a visual design language rooted in our own South African experience.This year (2014) marks 20 years of ijusi with 29 issues. A book - which is in progress - will be the 30th issue.
|
DETAIL
|
From the ijusi home page
... LINK ... read more magazines on this website
As is evident from this extract from the ijusi home
page, Walker's method
of design is to first personally observe the environment around him, and
then to document photographically what he notices.
Walker says that - "(people out there) simply take what they want from the rest of the world, mix it into an African stew and serve up original and charming designs." Let's examine this idea of acculturation by looking at an example. (Issue 1: Afrocentric Design Adventure LINK to issuu.com)
ijusi-Magazine-Issue-3-Towards-a-New-Visual-Language-left |
The composition relies on bilateral symmetry around a central vertical and horizontal axis and strong vibrant colours - strategies of usage which are often found in African telegraph wire baskets, baskets and earplugs. A more contemporary colour usage is found in the background combination of red, magenta and orange with lime green neon accents in some of the figures. Well defined geometrical shapes with strong tonal contrasts are also emphasized.
Symmetry of design |
This post fits in with the new NSC CAPS theme 6 - Post-democratic Identity in South Africa (including issues of language, ethnicity, globalization, urbanization in the new South Africa)
No comments:
Post a Comment