Visual Culture

Today, Cubans celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution amid a floundering economy. It was 50 years ago that Dictator Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba in the early hours of Jan. 1, 1959 and a young lawyer turned revolutionary leader (Fidel Castro) emerged from the jungle to declare victory and take power along with his supporters.

Raul Castro, who took over as acting president last February, will address the Cuban citizens from the south-eastern city of Santiago de Cuba. For a more in depth look at where Cuba finds itself at this anniversary year click here.

This series of posters was designed by José Papiol Torrent to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Cuban revolution.

1959:
1 of 10 in a series created for the tenth anniversary of the Revolution. The letter “R” of Revolución is superimposed over a well-known photographic image of Ché and Fidel.

1960:
The letter “E” of Revolution in the form of the Cuban flag serves as the central design element.

1961:
This poster commemorates the Bay of Pigs. The letter “V” of Revolution is superimposed over a photographic image of armed soldiers on a tank.
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This typographic creation by Jonathan Barnbrook takes a quote from “Dubya,” that pretty much sums up his two terms in office. For a visual history of Bush’s stint at the helm you know what to do.

via Design Observer:

MANIFEST HOPE: DC gathers together a diverse array of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to mark this monumental achievement in our nation’s history and encourages artists and activists to maintain the momentum to bring about true change in the United States.

The three key issues for this event are Health Care Reform, Workers’ Rights and Green Economy. Find out more here.

We felt this portait by Robert Anderson, a classmate of Bush’s at Yale, was appropriate. His casual pose, sitting relaxed with his hands interlocked pretty much sums his lackluster and disastrous terms in office. The “classical realist” style is appropriate and fits into the mold of the preceding presidential portraits.

Given that these portraits are meant to represent the era of each leader, we find it disappointing that from president to president the portraits fail to reflect the art of the time. John F. Kennedy who was painted by Elaine de Kooning is the exception. Bill Clinton had two portraits done as well, one by renowned realist painter Nelson Shanks, the other being Chuck Close.

John F. Kennedy by Elaine de Kooning:

via Hrag Vartanian:

“We are proud to be included in such a historic occasion. Classic Crest Paper is the greenest premium paper in the world. The certifications carried on the line and its unmatched print performance are very likely what led the Obama team to choose it for their inaugural invitation,” says O’Donnell. “Yet, ironically, very few of these invitations will ever end up being recycled due to the significance of the inauguration of President Obama. Knowing that these invitations will instantly become keepsakes or souvenirs makes this even more momentous for Neenah Paper.”

Find out who is printing the invitations at Underconsideration (Quip #65).

Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue hit the newsstands this morning. TIME asked Shepard Fairey to design the cover, given his iconic portrait of Barack Obama. Much like Obama’s amazing journey to the White House, Fairey’s design had an initial short run of a few hundred copies and grew to over 300,000 by the end of the campaign. TIME sat down with Fairey to reflect on this last year. See it here.

We couldn’t resist when we came across this one. It’s pure comedy:

Shoe-wielding Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, is now the star of the latest in viral Web games. “Sock and Awe” — named after the military doctrine employed in the US operation to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq – allows players to throw shoes at a figure of President Bush, as he ducks behind a podium.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Sol Sender, reflects back and sheds lilght into the conception and birth of the Obama ’08 logo, including the strategy behind it, developmental concepts and finalist that were presented to the Obama camp. It’s over 13 minutes long, but well worth the time for anyone interested in the process of developing identites and and innovative brands.

What’s another 15 Billion for the American people. It’s not like the American public is strapped for cash. For more on the bailout you know what to do.

via The Beast:

The U.S. is the bailout nation, now at $700 Billion Dollars we wonder who is next on the list. The New York Times has a great visual resource to keep tabs on the current situation.