The Voice of Graphic Design

Eso es la vida/This is life – an exhibition title that does not immediately evoke associations with the actual subject matter on view at the Palms Springs Art Museum beginning August 12. The show examines the evolution of graphic design over the past century and explores its role in popular culture. A series of graphic designs from Mexico will then demonstrate the importance of the field in the country's past and present.

Posters, typography and sign language, videos and digital media convey the importance of visual communication in everyday life in Mexico. Eso es la vida juxtaposes key figures in the history of graphic design, such as José Guadalupe Posada or the Taller de Gráfica Popular group, with contemporary positions, such as Estudio Herrera, the Red de Reproducción y Distribución, or graphic designer Carla Valdivia Nakatani. Embedded in a historical context, the audience will learn about the state's efforts to create a new national public sphere after the Mexican Revolution-and about contemporary media's calls to question uniform concepts of national identity or visual style.

The Palms Springs Art Museum calls upon activist graphic artist Leopoldo Mendez to address this complex issue. He encourages artists to »to be an agent in such struggles over the everyday, 'eso es la vida'.« The graphic design exhibition is on view through November 27 in the Architecture and Design Center wing.