#nicolecornwell

[mediadesignspring2018]

Learning about Paula Scher’s work and entire creative outlook is exciting and inspiring. “Making stuff is at the heart of everything,” she says. I love the way she emphasizes the emotional impact of her graphic design, whether for a major client, like the Public Theatre, or for her own exhibitions. Her graphic charts and maps that detail personal/political messaging are an incredibly imaginative and accessible way to transform the mundane. I was also struck by the range of her designs. After the initial popularity of her designs at the Public Theatre, she flipped the script completely and made a series of completely subdued and beautiful posters that still spoke to the identity of the theatre.  

[mediadesignspring2018]

I found the most powerful storytelling aspect about Time Is Illmatic was the photos highlighting the stages of Nas’s life. Every time a photo is featured, it is captured in a new way, filmed in a scattered pile, or zoomed in on a particular person in the picture, bringing them to the fore, like a piece in a collage. They are integral storytelling tools. For example, when Jungle shows us the photo of their neighbors and friends, posing for the Illmatic photo shoot, he explains where each person as ended up in recent years, most of them serving time or dead. It is a huge testament to Nas’s motivation for writing about where he grew up, and why he hopes to honor and represent his friends with his music.   There was also a great deal of archival concert footage. I feel like it was such an effective choice to showcase Nas’s music. Rather than parsing together music videos or extra b-roll simply accompanied by the Illmatic audio tracks, the filmmakers present Nas in his element, performing live, sharing his music with others. It adds an entirely different stylistic dimension to the film.  

[mediadesignspring2018]

For me what was most striking about Cutie and the Boxer was how the style of the film mirrored the two artists in tone and scope; they are both candid and brutally honest in their art and perspective.  The filmmakers captured immensely intimate moments, simply by keeping the focus on their subjects, by documenting the emotions on their faces.  I also loved the look of the film, the way many shots are soft focus, and the portraiture of the scenes where the audience sees Ushio and Noriko make art. 

[mediadesignspring2018]

Nashville Skyline, Bob Dylan I love this cover because the photo stands on its own as the face of the album, without any text. The wonderful photo of Bob, which uses the rule of thirds and plays with perspective in its composition, seems almost completely unposed, as if a friend caught him, with his guitar, at the sweetest moment.  Power, Corruption, & Lies, New Order New Order used a painting, by Henri Fantin-Latour, from 1890, as their cover art. The beautiful composition and colors of such a classic painting as the backdrop to British new wave is perfect.  22 a million, Bon Iver A major depiction of the symbology/metaphor/mystery hidden in Bon Iver’s music and lyrics. The cover makes use of consistent color scheme, and a type of chaotic symmetry held together by the square ying yang.  Bryter Layter, Nick Drake Another great folk photo, this uses consistent color and shadow to convey quiet and enigmatic Nick Drake. Clearly posed, I like that Nick’s a little more comfortable with his shoes off.  

Are We There, Sharon Van Etten The black and white photo complements the drama of Sharon’s emotional music. It also shows a young woman, driving in a car, head in the wind, on some kinda journey, which is an appropriate image for Sharon’s songs. 

[mediadesignspring2018]

[mediadesignspring2018]

Searching For Sugar Man reveals the amazing myth and truth of musician Rodriguez. The film emphasizes the mystery of Rodriguez, visually, with long tracking shots of Rodriguez walking the streets of Detroit; archival footage and photos; and through dynamic interviews with those that new him best.  The film includes beautiful and sharp animated sequences, that complement the enigmatic and surreal quality of “the inner city poet” and “prophet” and his legacy.  The interviews with Rodriguez’s daughters were particularly powerful. They  illuminate the character of their humble father and his highest ideal- faith and love for the outcast.

[mediadesignspring2018]

[mediadesignspring2018]

photos from the met and moma

[mediadesignspring2018]

[mediadesignspring2018]

Kate! 

[mediadesignspring2018]

Isadora reading Women Who Run With Wolves. 

[mediadesignspring2018]