KAREL MARTENS
OASE/
APRIL 6 – 21, 2011
FACULTY GALLERY
MONASH UNIVERSITY
ART & DESIGN BUILDING
900 DANDENONG ROAD
CAULFIELD EAST VIC 3145
AUSTRALIA
TEL +61 3 9903 2882
Open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 12 – 5pm
Entry is FREE
Curated by Warren Taylor
Karel Martens graduated from the Arnhem School of Art in 1961. Since then he has worked as a freelance graphic designer, specialising in typography. Alongside this, he has always made free (non-commissioned) graphic and three-dimensional work.
This exhibition focuses on Martens contribution to the graphic style of OASE, Journal for Architecture. From 1990 (Issue 28) Martens took over the art direction of the journal, often working with students from the Werkplaats Typografie – an experimental typography school he founded in 1998 with Wigger Bierma. What began as a student magazine, evolved into an international professional journal in which a reflective and critical approach to architecture, urban design and landscape architecture is the mainstay. Recently celebrating its 75th issue, the success of OASE is, in part, due to Martens refined graphic statement, often absorbing his print and typographic experiments and upholding the dialogue between graphic design and architecture.
Featuring all 56 issues of OASE designed by Martens along with printed matter from his experimental studio practice, the exhibition will incorporate an open studio/workshop where Martens will host sessions with students of Visual Communication at Monash University.