Alphabet on Appropriation – From A to Z

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An Alphabet on Appropriation – A B C on Modernism, Graphic Design and
Visual Culture (From A to Z)

Appropriation of styles emerged as a compelling phenomenon, where artists and designers began to reference, reinterpret, and incorporate elements from past artistic movements. This act of borrowing and repurposing became a powerful tool for artistic expression, offering a dialogue between time.

"An Alphabet on Appropriation – A B C on Modernism, Graphic Design and Visual Culture" delves into the intricacies of appropriation within the context of Modernism with its minimalist approaches allied to a sense of rationality and functionalism and its relation between the classic that draws inspiration from the simplicity and elegance of its historical precedents and the progressive that searches for innovation, experimentation, and the pursuit of new possibilities. Exploring how appropriation both disrupts and harmonizes within the principles of visual language while also shaping the unique characteristics of postmodern design through a curated selection of images, manifestos, interviews and other materials.

Postmodernism challenges the linear narratives and universal truths of Modernism, embracing diversity, pastiche, and irony, which became a fundamental characteristic of design. With that, artists and designers freely borrowed from multiple sources, cultures, and time periods, blurring the boundaries between high and low culture. Reinforced by the recent reemergence of the “brutalist” style and anti-design theories have increasingly disregarded their intended meanings and the contexts in which they were created.

In conclusion, both modernism and postmodernism have had a significant impact on design and continue to influence contemporary practices. While modernism sought clarity, functionality, and universality, postmodernism reacted against these ideals, embracing complexity, plurality, and a more critical approach to design. Whit that, (...) explores the correlations between all these overlapping temporalities and emphasises the importance of understanding the contexts in which design and visual culture emerges.