Journal
Journal: Review of Pentagram Calendar 1993
Dec
From the Pentagram Calendar series
As we approach New Year it seemed fitting to post about this piece of design. I was recently given a collection of graphic design books, posters and artworks that belonged to the late Nicolas Thirkell. Nicholas was influential for his time at NTA (Nicolas Thirkell Associates) where George Hardie was amongst several collaborators.
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Nicholas later formed the hugely influential CDT (Carroll, Dempsey & Thirkell) with Mike Dempsey and Ken Carroll.
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There is an article here by @studiodempsey remembering Nick.
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https://www.designweek.co.uk/issues/8-14-november-2021/remembering-nicholas-thirkell-he-took-ideas-to-their-ultimate-expression/
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Shown is a calendar from 1993 by Pentagram Design by founding partner Alan Fletcher that was in this collection. Series of collages based around Chinese horoscopes. The prints are on a open screen, giving a wide, visible dot to the printing.
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A collision of found ephemera, packaging and printed items reflect some of the tropes of Fletcher’s work. An embracing of the vernacular and found, with designs often featuring his handwriting and mark making.
Includes some very familiar Alan references, for example, the ’This Way Up’ signs that are part of the collage on the August entry. That are actually pointing down.
Screen printed by G&B Arts.
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First slide is a collage of the date, 1993
January – Years of the Rooster 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993
February – Years of the Dog 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994
March – Years of the Pig 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
April – Years of the Rat 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984
May – Years of the Ox 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985
June – Years of the Tiger 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986
July – Years of the Rabbit 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987
August – Years of the Dragon 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988
September – Years of the Snake 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989
October – Years of the Horse 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990
November – Years of the Sheep 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991
December – Years of the Monkey 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992
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