Activating the Transformative Powers of Cultural Exchange
BACKGROUND
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival took place on the National Mall between 12th and 14th streets from June 27-July 1 and July 4-8, 2018. The festival highlighted cultural creativity from Armenia and Catalonia, plus the 40th anniversary Sisterfire Concert on July 8th. As seen on On The Move: Migration & Creativity: "Representing the dynamic landscape of D.C. area cultural and creative enterprises, the arts collective Soul & Ink activated the Folklife Festival with live screen printing. Visitors customized original posters printed on site by this crew of artists committed to art for social change."
SCOPE OF WORK
Art Direction • Print Design • Graphic Design • Concept Development • Event Branding • Illustration • Live Screen Printing • Integrated Marketing and Events • Poster Design
I created three out of the four poster designs for our 4-arm screen printing press. The first design was created with a traditional approach in mind to celebrating the legacy of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The poster features signature elements to honor that the festival is held on The National Mall such as The Smithsonian Castle and the whimsical Merry-Go-Round. Vintage fonts and framework were used to invoke a folklife feel. This was the most in demand design. Once we incorporated the stencil lab it brought a sense of color and another level of artistry to the hand screen printed poster design. The second poster was a go-go poster inspired design as a nod to the DC location of the festival, though it highlighted the Catalonia, Armenia, Sisterfire Concert and more. The third for the Sisterfire concert was printed in red and used the hands of past attendees from a vintage photo to capture the essence of the movement that put women's culture on the road.
The final poster design (above right) was a nod to the following year's festival featuring Brazil and was designed by my partner Frank Meneses.
