Tom Kristensen, Erskineville, NSW Australia 'M is for Mao' (Click image to pop-up an enlargement) Artist's comments ... Printed with a baren from two cherry blocks using New Hosho 100% kozo washi. Woodblock prints originated in China between the 6th and 9th centuries. The earliest known printed book is a Buddhist sutra dating from 868. Woodblock printing continued to be the major print form in China until the late 19th century. After the revolution The Chinese Communist Party sanctioned the woodblock print as a platform for mass communication. Brightly colored street posters were made to support the party line. The woodblock is easily made with limited technology and has the flavour of the common people. The spirit of eternal revolution was symbolically rendered in red and inspirational slogans were used to motivate the masses. The aesthetic of this propaganda has much in common with modern advertising. Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976), The Great Helmsman and committed playboy, believed in eternal revolution. Since his death there have been 750 McDonalds outlets opened in China. Mao may not have approved this union of Chinese Communism with American Capitalism, but he may well have enjoyed a burger. Current advertising in China has the Quarter Pounder beef burger as an aid for the over-extended male libido. If you wish to offer some feedback on this print, you may do so using this form. (Your input will be sent directly to the artist's email address, and will not be seen by anybody else ...) Your name: Email address: Positive points ... Suggestions for improvement... General comments on the print ... When you have filled in all the info, press the left button to send it in.
Tom Kristensen, Erskineville, NSW Australia
'M is for Mao'
(Click image to pop-up an enlargement)
Artist's comments ...
Printed with a baren from two cherry blocks using New Hosho 100% kozo washi. Woodblock prints originated in China between the 6th and 9th centuries. The earliest known printed book is a Buddhist sutra dating from 868. Woodblock printing continued to be the major print form in China until the late 19th century. After the revolution The Chinese Communist Party sanctioned the woodblock print as a platform for mass communication. Brightly colored street posters were made to support the party line. The woodblock is easily made with limited technology and has the flavour of the common people. The spirit of eternal revolution was symbolically rendered in red and inspirational slogans were used to motivate the masses. The aesthetic of this propaganda has much in common with modern advertising. Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976), The Great Helmsman and committed playboy, believed in eternal revolution. Since his death there have been 750 McDonalds outlets opened in China. Mao may not have approved this union of Chinese Communism with American Capitalism, but he may well have enjoyed a burger. Current advertising in China has the Quarter Pounder beef burger as an aid for the over-extended male libido.
Printed with a baren from two cherry blocks using New Hosho 100% kozo washi.
Woodblock prints originated in China between the 6th and 9th centuries. The earliest known printed book is a Buddhist sutra dating from 868. Woodblock printing continued to be the major print form in China until the late 19th century. After the revolution The Chinese Communist Party sanctioned the woodblock print as a platform for mass communication. Brightly colored street posters were made to support the party line. The woodblock is easily made with limited technology and has the flavour of the common people. The spirit of eternal revolution was symbolically rendered in red and inspirational slogans were used to motivate the masses. The aesthetic of this propaganda has much in common with modern advertising. Chairman Mao Zedong (1893-1976), The Great Helmsman and committed playboy, believed in eternal revolution. Since his death there have been 750 McDonalds outlets opened in China. Mao may not have approved this union of Chinese Communism with American Capitalism, but he may well have enjoyed a burger. Current advertising in China has the Quarter Pounder beef burger as an aid for the over-extended male libido.
If you wish to offer some feedback on this print, you may do so using this form. (Your input will be sent directly to the artist's email address, and will not be seen by anybody else ...)
Your name:
Email address:
Positive points ...
Suggestions for improvement...
General comments on the print ...