September 11-17, 2003

artpicks

"Brain Aided Design [222edit]

Art

From its Sheffield-based musical inspirations to its stripped-bare designs, The Designers Republic collective of advertising/video artists likes to shuffle the cards when it comes to working with clients -- a game of 52 pick-up, if you will. The seven-person Ian Anderson-led team have, within their 15 years, reappropriated old logos and advertisements to create new ones and stolen from old music videos to create cold, flashy new looks. They've deconstructed and reconfigured and familiar iconography for Issey Miyake, VH-1, Swatch, Nike, Sci-Fi Channel, Sony, Pringles, bands like YMO and Squarepusher. "Consumerism is an interesting game to play and there is that sense of piracy, that sense of åfuck you, if you want to ram your logo down my throat,'" says Anderson of conceptual sampling in his book Brain Aided Design. For an exhibit based on Anderson's book, TDR have brought their flickering symbols and semiotic chatter to Barcelona, Sarajevo, Ecuador and, now, Philadelphia, with Anderson in a rare appearance.

“Brain Aided Design [222edit],” opening reception and book signing, Fri., Sept. 12, 6-9 p.m., 222 Gallery/Otto Design Group, 222 Vine St., 215-873-0750.

—A.D. Amorosi

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