May 10, 2015

How Posters Work at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, May 8 – November 15, 2015

“This is an exhibition about how designers see. How Posters Work shows the way dozens of designers from around the world have used the principles of composition, perception, and storytelling to convey ideas and solicit sensations.” — Cooper Hewitt

Lucian Bernhard (German, 1883–1972) for Adler (Germany). Adler Typewriter, 1909–10. Lithograph. Printed by Hollerbaum & Schmidt (Berlin, Germany). 34.5 x 47 cm (13 9/16 x 18 1/2 in.). Gift of the Eric Kellenberger Collection, Switzerland, and museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment, 2005-12-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Lucian Bernhard (German, 1883-–1972) for Adler (Germany). Adler Typewriter, 1909–-10. Lithograph. Printed by Hollerbaum & Schmidt (Berlin, Germany). 34.5 × 47 cm (13 9/16 × 18 1/2 in.). Gift of the Eric Kellenberger Collection, Switzerland, and museum purchase from General Acquisitions Endowment, 2005-12-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Jacques Delisle (Canadian, b. 1941) for Cinépix Film Properties, Inc. (CFP) (Montreal, Canada). L’Initiation, 1970. Offset lithograph. 101.6 x 68.6 cm (40 x 27 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-97. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Jacques Delisle (Canadian, b. 1941) for Cinépix Film Properties, Inc. (CFP) (Montreal, Canada). L’’Initiation, 1970. Offset lithograph. 101.6 × 68.6 cm (40 × 27 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-97. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Waldemar Swierzy (Polish, 1931–2013). Nocny Kowboj [Midnight Cowboy], 1973. Offset lithograph. 82.3 x 58.5 cm (32 3/8 x 23 1/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-103. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Waldemar Swierzy (Polish, 1931-–2013). Nocny Kowboj [Midnight Cowboy], 1973. Offset lithograph. 82.3 × 58.5 cm (32 3/8 × 23 1/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-103. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Frederick Siebel (American, Austrian, and Czech, 1913–1991). Someone Talked, 1942. Lithograph. Printed by Devoe & Raynolds Painting Company (USA). 101.6 × 71.1 cm (40 × 28 in.). Gift of Louise Clémencon, 1949-108-10. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Frederick Siebel (American, Austrian, and Czech, 1913–-1991). Someone Talked, 1942. Lithograph. Printed by Devoe & Raynolds Painting Company (USA). 101.6 × 71.1 cm (40 × 28 in.). Gift of Louise Clémencon, 1949-108-10. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Victor Moscoso (Spanish and American, b. 1936). Junior Wells, 1966. Offset lithograph. 50.3 x 36 cm (19 13/16 x 14 3/16 in.). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie J. Schreyer, 1979-34-37. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Victor Moscoso (Spanish and American, b. 1936). Junior Wells, 1966. Offset lithograph. 50.3 × 36 cm (19 13/16 × 14 3/16 in.). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie J. Schreyer, 1979-34-37. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Art Chantry (American, b. 1954). Ready for War, 1982. Screenprint. 60.9 × 45.5 cm (24 × 17 15/16 in.). Gift of Steven Heller and Karrie Jacobs, 1993-53-27. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Art Chantry (American, b. 1954). Ready for War, 1982. Screenprint. 60.9 × 45.5 cm (24 × 17 15/16 in.). Gift of Steven Heller and Karrie Jacobs, 1993-53-27. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Ladislav Sutnar (American and Czech, 1897–1976) for A. B. Addo (Malmö, Sweden). Addo-x, 1958. Offset lithograph. 96.8 x 61.3 cm (38 1/8 x 24 1/8 in.). Gift of Anonymous Donor, 1994-109-7. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Ladislav Sutnar (American and Czech, 1897–-1976) for A. B. Addo (Malmö, Sweden). Addo-x, 1958. Offset lithograph. 96.8 × 61.3 cm (38 1/8 × 24 1/8 in.). Gift of Anonymous Donor, 1994-109-7. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Hendricus Theodorus Wijdeveld (Dutch, 1885Ð1987). Internationale Economisch-Historische Tentoonstelling [Exhibition of International Economic History], 1929. Block print, letterpress. 64.6 * 50.4 cm (25 3/8 * 19 3/4 in.). Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt and Jacob H. Schiff, and through bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane, 2001-7-1.

Hendricus Theodorus Wijdeveld (Dutch, 1885-1987). Internationale Economisch-Historische Tentoonstelling [Exhibition of International Economic History], 1929. Block print, letterpress. 64.6 × 50.4 cm (25 3/8 × 19 3/4 in.). Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt and Jacob H. Schiff, and through bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane, 2001-7-1. Photo: Matt Flynn.

Michael Bierut (American, b. 1957) for Architectural League of New York (New York, New York, USA). LIGHT/YEARS, 1999. Offset lithograph. 59.7 x 97.8 cm (23 1/2 x 38 1/2 in.). Gift of Michael Bierut, 2007-12-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Michael Bierut (American, b. 1957) for Architectural League of New York (New York, New York, USA). LIGHT/YEARS, 1999. Offset lithograph. 59.7 × 97.8 cm (23 1/2 × 38 1/2 in.). Gift of Michael Bierut, 2007-12-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Michiel Schuurman (Dutch, b. 1974). HorseProjectSpace and Deveemvloer Present: Paraat 3, 2007. Offset lithograph. 117.3 * 73 cm (46 3/16 * 28 3/4 in.). Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Michiel Schuurman, 2008-22-2. Photo: Matt Flynn

Michiel Schuurman (Dutch, b. 1974). HorseProjectSpace and Deveemvloer Present: Paraat 3, 2007. Offset lithograph. 117.3 ×  73 cm (46 3/16 × 28 3/4 in.). Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Michiel Schuurman, 2008-22-2. Photo: Matt Flynn.

Saul Bass (American, 1920–1996). Exodus, 1961. Offset lithograph. Printed by National Screen Service Corporation (USA). 104 x 68.5 cm (40 15/16 x 26 15/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-16. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Saul Bass (American, 1920–-1996). Exodus, 1961. Offset lithograph. Printed by National Screen Service Corporation (USA). 104 × 68.5 cm (40 15/16 × 26 15/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-16. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Wiktor Górka (Polish, 1922–2004). Kabaret [Cabaret], 1973. Offset lithograph. 83.7 x 58 cm (32 15/16 x 22 13/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-100. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Wiktor Górka (Polish, 1922–-2004). Kabaret [Cabaret], 1973. Offset lithograph. 83.7 × 58 cm (32 15/16 × 22 13/16 in.). Gift of Sara and Marc Benda, 2010-21-100. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Paula Scher (American, b. 1948) for the Public Theater (New York, New York, USA). Him, 1994. 116.8 x 76.2 cm (46 x 30 in.). Gift of Paula Scher, 2013-25-1. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Paula Scher (American, b. 1948) for the Public Theater (New York, New York, USA). Him, 1994. 116.8 × 76.2 cm (46 × 30 in.). Gift of Paula Scher, 2013-25-1. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Felix Pfäffli (Swiss, b. 1986) for Weltformat Poster Festival (Lucerne, Switzerland). Weltformat 13, 2013. Lithograph. 128 × 89.5 cm (50 3/8 × 35 1/4 in.). Gift of Felix Pfäffli, 2014-30-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Felix Pfäffli (Swiss, b. 1986) for Weltformat Poster Festival (Lucerne, Switzerland). Weltformat 13, 2013. Lithograph. 128 × 89.5 cm (50 3/8 × 35 1/4 in.). Gift of Felix Pfäffli, 2014-30-2. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Experimental Jetset (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Erwin Brinkers (Dutch, b. 1973), Marieke Stolk (Dutch, b. 1967), and Danny van den Dungen (Dutch, b. 1971) for Paradiso (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Paradiso 2010, 2010. Diecut, offset lithographs. 59.4 × 42 cm (23 3/8 × 16 9/16 in.). Gift of Experimental Jetset, 2014-40-3, -5/-7. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Experimental Jetset (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Erwin Brinkers (Dutch, b. 1973), Marieke Stolk (Dutch, b. 1967), and Danny van den Dungen (Dutch, b. 1971) for Paradiso (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Paradiso 2010, 2010. Diecut, offset lithographs. 59.4 × 42 cm (23 3/8 × 16 9/16 in.). Gift of Experimental Jetset, 2014-40-3, -5/-7. Photo by Matt Flynn.

Experimental Jetset (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Erwin Brinkers (Dutch, b. 1973), Marieke Stolk (Dutch, b. 1967), and Danny van den Dungen (Dutch, b. 1971); For NAiM / Bureau Europa (Maastricht, Netherlands); Out of Fashion, 2011; Screenprint; Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Experimental Jetset, 2014-40-4. Photo: Matt Flynn

Experimental Jetset (Amsterdam, Netherlands): Erwin Brinkers (Dutch, b. 1973), Marieke Stolk (Dutch, b. 1967), and Danny van den Dungen (Dutch, b. 1971); For NAiM / Bureau Europa (Maastricht, Netherlands); Out of Fashion, 2011; Screenprint; Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Experimental Jetset, 2014-40-4. Photo: Matt Flynn.

Mark Gowing (Australian, b. 1970) for Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (Paddington, Australia). Jonathan Jones: untitled (the tyranny of distance), 2008. Screenprint. 84 * 51.6 cm (33 1/16 * 20 5/16 in.). Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Mark Gowing, 2014-32-2. Photo: Matt Flynn

Mark Gowing (Australian, b. 1970) for Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation (Paddington, Australia). Jonathan Jones: untitled (the tyranny of distance), 2008. Screenprint. 84 × 51.6 cm (33 1/16 × 20 5/16 in.). Collection Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Gift of Mark Gowing, 2014-32-2. Photo: Matt Flynn.

Rianne Petter (Dutch, b. 1975) and René Put (Dutch, b. 1962). Poster No. 524: Focal Point, 2012. Cut paper. 1189 x 841 mm (46.5 x 33 in). Courtesy of the designers.

Rianne Petter (Dutch, b. 1975) and René Put (Dutch, b. 1962). Poster No. 524: Focal Point, 2012. Cut paper. 1189 × 841 mm (46.5 × 33 in). Courtesy of the designers.

Images courtesy & copyright Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum