"BE RADICAL."

 We should try once again to be fun-loving visionaries; we should return to a belief in a radical spirit – the idea that design is something that can help improve society and people’s condition.

A lot to think about.

There was much that inspired me in this week's chapters-It was a little overwhelming, the amount of creative brilliance. One person, in particular, stood out to me. The trailblazing and prolific work of designer Dan Friedman. 
Admittedly, at first, I was not fond of his art. I couldn't fully appreciate it. I was more interested in who he was as a person. Dedicated to his passion for art and life. Dan Friedman lived in the shadow of AIDS for ten years. All the while, working as an activist and educator. Using his artistic skills to bring awareness to people about the disease. The fear, ignorance, and shaming associated with AIDS left many suffering from the illness ostracized by their families and their community. Many, too many... would die scared and alone.

I was humbled and sincerely astonished by Friedman's courage and continual optimism in the face of such a huge amount of adversity. My respect for the man led me to explore more deeply his art and legacy. 

                                        

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Basics.

• Born 1945, Cleveland, Ohio.

• American educator, graphic and furniture designer, social activist.       

• Known as the father of “Radical Modernism.

• "Studied graphic design at Hochschule fur Gestaltung, Ulm, and with Armin Hofmann and Wolfgang Weingart at Allgemeine Gewerbeschule, Basel. Contributed significantly to what came to be known as "post-modern" or "new wave." At the beginning of his career, he designed corporate identity programs, posters publications, packaging, letterheads, and logos, for clients such as Citibank and Williwear. He also designed furniture, lighting, screens, wall elements, and interiors. Friedman was the author of "Dan Friedman: Radical Modernism", 1994, and co-authored with Jeffrey Deitch, "Cultural Geometry", 1988, and "PostHuman",1992." https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/people/18041325/bio#ch 

• Died 1995, New York City.

Friedman's Design Style.

• Experimental.                                                 
• Optimistic.
• Risk-taking.
• Radical.
• Rejects corporate style.
• Expressive.
• Purposeful 
• FUN.
• Humourous.
• Noble. 
• Integral.

Interesting Facts.

• Awarded the AIGA Medal. Although honored posthumously, "his profound legacy lives on in his groundbreaking work." https://www.printmag.com/post/2015-aiga-medalist-dan-friedman

• A long-time friend of artist Keith Haring, He designed the book, "Keith Haring", 1982

• Loved theatre and wanted to be an actor for a time in his youth.

• Transformed his apartment continuously, into a living experimental art piece.

“I have, for many years, used my home to push modernist principles of structure and coherency to their wildest extreme [. . .] I create elegant mutations radiating with intense color and complexity in a world that is deconstructed into a goofy, ritualistic playground for daily life.” 

                              https://go.distance.ncsu.edu/gd203/?p=52475

                                     

What I like about Friedman and his designs.

• Although he lived a decade with a horrific illness, he continued to be an activist and educator working to bring more awareness to AIDS. The disease had already taken many of his close friends. "It was important to him to maintain a positivistic" view of the world.
• Strong character and will.
• His philosophy on life.
• I love that he explored vibrant colors and humor in his designs.

What does it make me appreciate?

• LIVING. ❤
• My family.
• Freedom to be as radical and creative as I want. 
• COLORS.
• My own space to feel inspired in and be creative with.
• Less fear and more understanding and care for people living with HIV. 
• ART. I appreciate the many forms and styles of artists in a way I hadn't before.
• Keith Herring.
• The opportunity to live by Friedman's wisdom.

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                                                                          Inspiration & Resources

                                                                

                                                                       Dan Friedman: 2015 AIGA Medalist

"For providing an expressive, eccentric career model for young designers; 

and for his philosophy of “Radical Modernism,” which places Modernist ideas within 

Postmodern practice."

In 1994, near the end of his life, Friedman wrote this poignant manifesto in his book “Radical Modernism." Still profoundly relevant almost thirty years later.

         

                                                                                    *

1.   Live and work with passion and responsibility; have a sense of humor and fantasy.

2.  Try to express personal, spiritual, and domestic values even if our culture continues to be dominated by corporate, marketing, and institutional values.

3.   Choose to remain progressive; don’t be regressive. Find comfort in the past only if it expands insight into the future and not just for the sake of nostalgia.

4.    Embrace the richness of all cultures; be inclusive instead of exclusive.

5.   Think of your work as a significant element in the context of a more important, transcendental purpose.

6.   Use your work to become advocates of projects for 

      the public good.

7.   Attempt to become a cultural provocateur; be a leader rather than a follower.

8.  Engage in self-restraint; accept the challenge of working with reduced expectations and diminished resources.

9.   Avoid getting stuck in corners, such as being a servant to increasing overhead careerism, or narrow points of view.

10. Bridge the boundaries that separate us from other creative professions and unexpected possibilities.

11. Use the new technologies, but don’t be seduced into thinking that they provide answers to fundamental questions.

12. BE RADICAL.   

  *

 

FRIEDMANS WORK IN PICTURES

                            

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"Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, more than 70 million people have acquired the infection, and about 35 million people have died. Today, around 37 million worldwide live with HIV, of whom 22 million are on treatment. 30 years after the first World AIDS Day campaign, we still cannot be complacent in our response to HIV,” 

Dr. Hirnschall, https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/why-the-hiv-epidemic-is-not-over. 

I, YOU, WE: Art & AIDS

May 30, 2013

Whitney Museum of American Art

JENNIFER’S HIV/AIDS Story (in Pictures)

Feb 20, 2017

Jennifer Vaughan

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Sources:

• https://allthatsinteresting.com/david-kirby/3
• http://www.eyemagazine.com/feature/article/reputations-dan-friedman
• https://99designs.com/blog/famous-design/looking-back-dan-friedmans-radical-modernism/
• https://www.artsy.net/artist/dan-friedman
• youtube.com
• pixabay
•  zigzag image by Elimma: leanpng.com/png-zigzag-clip-art-2019665/download-png.html

• https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/hiv-aids-awareness-days/world-aids-day

• https://thoughtleader.co.za/dear-sandton-youre-not-immune-to-hiv/ image of red ribbon 
• IMAGE of Dan at top: https://go.distance.ncsu.edu/gd203/?p=52475