Lucky you if you get to NYC to catch the Bauhaus show
Over the weekend I read an article in TIME about the Bauhaus exhibit at MOMA (Bauhaus 1919–1933: Workshops for Modernity; NYC through Jan 25). I wish I could go, but my life will keep on the West Coast in Pasadena, CA for the time being. My heartbeat increased as I read the article. I have always loved the Bauhaus. The philosophy. The movement. The art. The artists. The stories. The list goes on. It’s been years since I sat and read an article about Walter Gropius or Maholy-Nagy and this was an ideal step back in time to brush up on the modern art movement they began decades ago, that we now sort of take for granted.
The reason the article stood out to me in a more meaningful way today than it did decades ago in art school, is the new connection and point of view I have through the letterpress work I do. These artists stood against the tide at the time to create something new. To tear down the ideal images people had of what a chair is or how a teapot should look to recreate an approach to the design of everyday objects. They weren’t embraced by political leaders of their day (to say the least), yet they pushed ahead (moving campuses three times) to create new art, yet they did it with old technology, skills and craftsmanship. I love this! They were craftsman to the core.
It hit me like a lead weight! This is what I strive to do with Spiffy Press. Ok, hang in with me here. I realize we’re no Bauhaus, but the core philosophy is similar. Create useful art that reflects our modern times using solid, old-fashion technology. Art that strips out the fluff and decoration to get at the pure essence of what an object is. You send a card once; it’s a fleeting moment, yet it provides an opportunity to make a lasting impression. To stand out among the other mass-produced cards in a way that says this is a special moment. This impression will stand the test of time. You and your message are memorable.
Not your grandma's tea set...well enough time has passed so if you had an avant-garde grandma, this might be your tea set!
I smiled as I read the article. It was inspiring all over again. I’m sure I’ll bump into a future article and will once again be inspired in a whole new way by these artists who carved a new path. Spiffy Press is dedicated to making a new path within the letterpress craft. It is important to us that we use modern concepts with a twist intended to update old themes. You won’t find vintage drawings, Victorian imagery, or retro graphics in our goods. These images are cute. We like them, but they have been done before. We promise to take old typefaces and use them graphically and to give them a modern look, for people who can’t get enough of conceptual art and hand-made goods that stand the test of time. I can only hope the Bauhaus teachers would be proud or our hand-made modern art.
