The Theory of Nevolution: Orbit O Clique

April 17, 2008

Orbit O Clique

Sorry for the simply awful pun, but I just couldn't help myself. Went down to the opening of Orbit Oblique at Craft Victoria tonight. Part type sampler, part exhibition; it's a tongue in cheek ode to the animals that were sent out into space by both sides during the cold war. While the concept interesting and whimsical, and the design good quality (what else to expect from the Letterbox, really) I was a little confused as to the purpose of the whole thing. While Banham always puts on a good show, and the melbourne design and type community owe him a major debt of gratitude, I felt tonight was mildly pointless. I've always been a major fan of the studio, having gone so far as to buy one of their t-shirts (sadly lost) and gladly stuck up their free stickers but tonight it all seemed a bit coddling, back patting and a bit sceney. It just reeked of rampant self promotion, and I wasn't sure wether the emphasis was on the artwork or the fonts. All was not lost though. Free champagne refills always goes down well and I had a chance to meet the illegible Mr Barry Spencer thanks to the imposter. Anyone interested in testing the notion of typographic legibility should check out his blog (just look to your right) or have a look at his typefaces.

If anyone wants to go down and have a look at Orbit Oblique it's at Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane. Despite my bitching it's worth a look.

Posted at 10:51 PM in Marvellous Melbourne | Permalink

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