"The Graphic Imperative" Exhibition: 111 Posters that reflect the evolution of design as a social and cultural force

May 25, 2006: Featuring four decades of influential political posters, "The Graphic Imperative: International Posters of Peace, Social Justice and the Environment 1965-2005" will be on exhibit at AIGA's National Design Center at 164 Fifth Avenue, New York City, from June 15, 2006 until August 18, 2006. The exhibition is being made possible through the generous support of Neenah Paper.

Featuring four decades of influential political posters, “The Graphic Imperative: International Posters of Peace, Social Justice and the Environment 1965-2005” will be on exhibit at AIGA’s National Design Center at 164 Fifth Avenue, New York City, from June 15, 2006 until August 18, 2006. The exhibition is being made possible through the generous support of Neenah Paper.

“The Graphic Imperative” is a select retrospective of 40 years of international sociopolitical posters. Themes include dissent, liberation, racism, sexism, human rights, civil rights, environmental and health concerns, AIDS, war, literacy and tolerance, collectively providing a window to an age of great change.

Focusing on the issues of our turbulent times, these 111 posters endeavor to show the social, political and aesthetic concerns of many cultures in a single exhibition through delineating themes and contrasting political realities. Curator Elizabeth Resnick believes it’s a direct line to the increasing role designers are playing in shaping the cultural, political and social movements of today.

"Designers are taught to be master manipulators of visual language. As such, designers have a social and ethical responsibility to create and transmit meaningful forms of communication to benefit our society and culture," says Resnick. "The Graphic Imperative exhibition is the physical embodiment of this design philosophy—yet its content is universally understood by all people."

Exclusive previews of the show will be available by appointment on Wednesday, June 14, 2006. A private opening will take place on June 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and press are welcome to attend.

"The Graphic Imperative" is a co-production of Massachusetts College of Art and Philadelphia University.

To obtain exhibition previews, catalogs, interviews or hi-resolution images, or if your institution is interested in hosting The Graphic Imperative exhibition in 2007-2009, please contact Elizabeth Resnick . For a collection of essays and previous press, also visit The Graphic Imperative website.

For gallery inquiries, please contact Amy Chapman at 212 807 1990.

"The Graphic Imperative: International Posters of Peace, Social Justice and the Environment 1965-2005"
June 15 through August 18, 2006
Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

National Design Center at AIGA
164 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
212 807 1990

After New York, "The Graphic Imperative" will travel to:

• Des Lee Gallery, Washington University, St. Louis
  September 5 through October 27, 2006
• Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
  November 14 through January 26, 2007