Page 178 - Swann Galleries - Modernist Posters - Sale 2314 - May 13, 2013

FRIEDER GRINDLER (1941- )
223 ● “SEID NETT ZU MR. SLOANE.” 1968.
33x23 1/2 inches, 83 3/4 x593/4 cm. Domberger, Filderstadt.
Condition A: light creasing in image. Paper.
Grindler, who studied at both the Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and the Kassel Art Academy,
ultimately made his mark in the graphic world by applying the use of photography to the posters he
designed for German theatres. Along with Hans Hillman and Gunther Rambow, he pioneered a new
approach to the medium - not representing what was visible but rather, questioning it. While his black-
and-white photomontages are technical masterpieces, they also evoke the essence of the plays they are
promoting in a striking manner. This early poster for the play, “Be Kind to Mr. Sloane,” was for his first
large client, the Tubinger Zimmertheater, for whom he worked for many years to come. If the image looks
familiar its because the same idea has been used by many artists since. [400/600]
MARTIN PARR (1952- )
224 ● WE ARE SO HAPPY. 2000.
311/2x39 1/4 inches, 80x993/4 cm. Magnum Photos.
Condition A-: minor abrasions in image.
Martin Parr was a pioneer of documentary photography in England who established his reputation
through an uncomfortable but incisive series of images of British culture. His style of social
commentary, which emphasized the mundane and overlooked aspects of society, are both culturally
observant as well as, often times, compromising and unpleasant. In 1995, he joined Magnum Photos,
the member photographer-owned cooperative. Magnum took part in the enormous “Brussels 2000”
cultural project, for which their photographers contributed posters to an outdoor exhibit entitled,
“We are so Happy.” [400/600]
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