When I first heard of this upcoming show by Letterbox I thought: "it's about time someone covered this subject... typographically".
Orbit Oblique is a typographic tribute to 'animals lost in space'. "During the period 1949-1990 the space race between the USA and Russia saw dozens of animals being launched into space in the name of scientific research. These unwilling participants included not just monkeys and dogs but also cats, rats, frogs, worms, spiders, fish and even fruit flies. Many were never seen again."
The exhibition features a series of backlit typographic billboards, the first public release of the typeface Bisque (whose exclusive usage rights were auctioned on ebay) and the publication that accompanies the exhibition sounds terrific: a limited edition hard-bound type sampler with letterpress printed covers.
Orbit Oblique opens this Thursday April 17 from 5.30 onwards. Dr. Mark Davis, Culture and Communications, University of Melbourne will launch proceedings (pardon the pun). All welcome. This intergalactic typographic show runs from April 17 till May 17 at Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
All images © Letterbox 2008.
As co-author (along with Australian, Colin Burgess) of the book that inspired Orbital Oblique, Animals in Space, I am delighted to see this tribute. I'm not sure I would have made the connection between these animals and typography, but the images hauntingly evoke their space experiences.
Chris Dubbs
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
USA
Posted by: Chris Dubbs | 19 April 2008 at 09:15 AM