Moore College exhibit explores design in the punk world

The beginning of 2014 brings the launch of an incredible new exhibit to The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design.

Pretty Vacant: The Graphic Language of Punk is an astounding collection of record album sleeves, handbills, posters, flyers, zines, badges and other paraphernalia that visually represents the punk and post-punk era, all from the collection of NY-based Andrew Krivine; who began hoarding these items in 1977.

The mid-1970s were shaken up drastically by punk lifestyle and aesthetic ­– the music, the fashion, the DIY mentality and the "I don't give a f**k attitude" that came with it all. This defining moment in cultural history carries on even today with punk ideals still a beating heart in many people's lives. When it first began, punk's "look" drew some influence from modern art history:

Taking cues from a wealth of influences ranging from Dadaism to the Situationist International to pulp fiction, and communicating the themes of nihilism, black humor and reappropriation, the visual language of punk was a pastiche of imagery that reflected the consciousness and anti-aesthetic of a new counterculture.

Moore's Language of Punk exhibit will feature hundreds of different pieces from Krivine's collection that include items highlighting iconic punk figures and bands such as: The B-52s, Bauhaus, Blondie, the Buzzcocks, the Circle Jerks, The Cramps, The Cure, Devo, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop, Joy Division and much more.

The exhibit, on display from Jan. 25, 2014 – Mar. 15, 2014, will also showcase three film screenings. First up on Thursday, Feb. 13 The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, a fictitious Sex Pistols post-breakup documentary by English filmmaker Julien Temple that is told from the point of view of the band's manager, Malcolm McLaren. Next up on Thursday, Feb. 20 will be Jubilee; British filmmaker Derek Jarman brings together the essence of punk rock channeling "political dissent and artistic daring into a revolutionary blend of history and fantasy, musical and cinematic experimentation, satire and anger, fashion and philosophy." And finally, the screenings wrap up on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at International House with The Blank Generation, a 1976 documentary that focuses primarily on New York's underground punk scene.

Opening reception takes place on Friday, Jan. 24 from 6-8 p.m.

All of Moore's exhibits are free and open to the public. Visit thegalleriesatmoore.org for more information including hours, location, and film screening information.