I’ve never had the opportunity and/or time to study Asian Art or Asian Art History. Hasn’t just about everyone been exposed to some of it in one way or another. I believe it influenced Art Nouveau and the Impressionists? Don’t remember too well, it’s been 15 years since I took my Art History courses. I grew up in San Diego and, from my memories, I know Californians are greatly aware and influenced by Asian Art, languages and culture. I believe during the 80s and 90s, studying Japanese was really big in California. Maybe that had to do with the huge Japanese companies setting foot in the United States in their effort to find cheap labor (at least cheaper than theirs). With this March, 2011 earthquake and its catastrophic ensuing tsunami along the Japanese coastline, it would be most respectful to honor the Japanese with a small, tiny glimpse at their great artistic lineage — hopefully, paying homage in some small way …
Searching the Web this totally cheesy commercial Web Site packed a punch, at least for me:
http://www.asianartmall.com/woodblockarticle.htm
Retrieved 2011, Copyright Atlantic PC, Inc.
A small excerpt:
During the 19th century, some of the most exhibited and represented artists of Japanese Woodblock Prints are Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825), Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865), Utamaro Kitagawa (1750-1806), and Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858).
I’ve included these names in case you’d like to look them up.
Ok, that was “Old Time” Japan. Feast your eyes on some contemporary Japanese Graphic Design!
Check this Web Site out (now it asks for a donation for disaster relief).
http://gurafiku.tumblr.com/tagged/2010s
Hageman, Ryan. Retrieved March 13, 2011. A collection of visual research that encompasses the history of Japanese graphic design.
Listed in Mr. Hageman’s Web Site Page, to die for work from:
Tadanori Yokoo | Shigeo Fukuda | Yusaku Kamekura | Ikko Tanaka | Kazumasa Nagai | Keiichi Tanaami | Kiyoshi Awazu | Keisuke Nagatomo | Kazuo Umezu.Mr. Ryan Hageman I hope I referenced your Web Site correctly (please don’t sue me!!)
God, now I remember their exquisite calligraphy and unbelievably rich and gorgeous history of “packaging design.” Confidentially, I will confess, I’ve even seen light porno where people “package themselves.” Please don’t freak, we’re talking artistry. It’s a culture thing! See the The Pillow Book, directed Peter Greenaway; written by Sei Shonagon (book), Michael C. Berch; starring Vivian Wu, Ewan McGregor and Yoshi Oida. I dare ’ya, I double dare ’ya!
Sunday 16 thru Saturday 22, 2011
This blog will have some history of my work in graphics and my intend to enhance my command of Adobe Illustrator. I believe Illustrator has always saved me professionally. I’ve never been even remotely close to being a “guru” but, honestly, Illustrator got me into the working world of corporate America. I’ve “played” with this application since the 80s. Now I don’t remember how or which Adobe Illustrator version/number I’ve actually used for “professional” work. When I was introduced to Illustrator, the MACs the company had, ran on 4 mgs of ram! I think now computers use DRAM, so, maybe, RAM doesn’t even exist anymore? OK, think of RAM as archaic RAM sticks, does that help? Dude, the new MACs will have flash drives, hard drives will be a thing of the past!
This blog’s background shows my attempts to create my business cards with Illustrator for print. I think I must have tried about 7–9 different angles. I’m not going to delve into specific details about the technique. But, the effect was performed with the simple use of the type, pen and blend tool. If you’d like details let me know and I’ll get them to you. I never had any of these business cards printed. Just couldn’t justify the expense—maybe, these really are hard times. Still, when I created a PDF portfolio, the concept served me well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55648749@N08/sets/
Much of my “professional” work was for print and very conservative. (If you take a good look at my portfolio, it does take on a rather “industrial” look.) So, I will also reflect a little on my experiences associated with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and, maybe, Acrobat. Presently, I’m trying to get a genealogical book out but the author keeps adding pictures and editing the text. Patience and prozac really help. We’ve been working on this book for 3 years. We’ll talk?
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