The Gift of Commonalities

I was wading through the graphic design videos and was waiting for one to inspire me. To express something that made me stop and take notice. It happened when I reached Milton Glaser’s video. It began with a question I ask myself on many occasion especially as I go through my journey in the Imedia program, Where am I going with design?

My family asks this of me, I ask it of myself and yet I have been unable to provide a sold answer because I truly don’t know. I can speculate but Glaser’s answer articulates the enigma of trying to see into the future, “nobody has the ability to understand our path until its over”. His simple, no bullshit response is something I see in his artwork. Artwork that I love, his use of simple lines, silhouettes and negative space is undeniably beautiful and masterful. I have to denote his artistic use of the uneven line. It almost appears that he wants to make everything he does more relatable. It gives off an organic feel, like it could be your handwriting or your face. It is assessable. Which brings me to one of his points that struck a chord. Art as the gift of commonality.

“Louis Hyde who wrote, primitive culture exchange gifts, cannot be kept but must be passed on. The passing on of the gifts is to keep people from killing one another. They all become a part of the single experience.”

Art is one of those gifts that brings people into that experience. I have a couple examples of art that connects us. Firstly, something so simple as memes, pictures and design work that connect us through meaning and common emotions. We all understand that grumpy face of grumpy cat, or that douchebag guy who makes awful comments. We all can relate to those kinds of people or emotions thereby making us feel more connected to others.

Then there is the common understand, maybe not of meaning, but  of beauty. For example, Michelangelo’s David. It may not be appreciated at the same level and it may not even be liked by some BUT people understand the skill and beauty. Not to forget, that the image itself is so well known that the icon itself can bring people together because it one of the symbols that is integrated into the base knowledge of the society. While these examples are not necessarily graphic design the same elements persist. Some graphic designers might use memes or even the image of David because they are universally recognized.

One, last thing he said that actually has been weighing on my heart is, “don’t lose your astonishment”. Such a simple statement that seems to be common sense, but it is something that, as we grow up, struggle with daily. I work everyday to keep ability to be astonished. I love to feel unbridled joy when discovering something new or laughing at something silly. As an artist the world is our inspiration and it would truly be a travesty to lose the ability to be inspired and do the inspiring.  I agree with Glaser, that it would be a very sad thing to lose since the world is such an astonishing place. Always try to recreate yourself. Look inside and find that inner child, that inner artist that can view the world with new eyes.

This was a great video and I feel inspired by Glaser and his works.

 

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