Its a wrap! AGDA Awards 2008 Exhibit in New York

26th March, 2009

At the invitation of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the USA equivalent of AGDA, the pinnacle, distinction and finalists work from the AGDA National Awards 2008 were showcased at the AIGA Fifth Avenue headquarters from 10 December 2008 to 20 February this year.

There was a huge turnout at the launch, particularly as it was also the opening of the coveted annual AIGA 365 show. Despite the snow, wind and cold, there was a constant stream of visitors during and after working hours - educators, students, studios and principals including Pentagram and previous AGDA speakers Scott Santoro, Paul Sahre, Scott Stowell and Carin Goldberg.

Interestingly, there were a number of pieces that made it into both show s, whilst the most popular AGDA piece by far would have to be the very individual Christopher Doyle Brand Guidelines.

G'Day USA listed the AGDA Exhibition on their events list; it was also picked up for another showing at Pratt Institute after AIGA's; and AGDA has been invited back for 2010 - pretty good results all round.

A BIG thank-you to AIGA for being such generous hosts, especially Gabriella Mirensky their gallery administrator and curator; to our own Awards exhibition chief curator, designer, finished artist, bottle washer, you-name-it Adam Carpenter, assisted by Helen Beltsos and Rita Siow for the blood, sweat and tears that went into doing something so major, offshore, and from scratch - from virtual (literally) floor plans to NY digital run-outs artworked in Adelaide; to repainting walls, cleaning stairs and balustrades; hand sewing, or rather, stapling ‘found' curtains (pretending to be screens); to grappling with varying wine bottle transport by-laws and the 4-hour lineup for overseas postal despatch enquiries on the very last day in NY!

Special thanks also to Kevin Finn who conducted a reconnaissance of the location for AGDA during a prior NY visit, Nic Eldridge who originated the assets collation for the exhibition, and Matt Remphrey for his assistance with the alcoholic label exhibits. 

"Additional highlights were the sharing of some wonderful afternoons with our New York AGDA adoptees and undoubtedly cherished friends; enjoying the awesome Pentagram studio and their generous hospitality; attending an inspirational design event at the equally inspirational Cooper Union Great Hall, meeting like-minded and unlike-minded compatriots who have the same struggles and juggles, the same quests for inspiration and innovation as we do," said Rita.

Scott Santoro, a previous International Speaker for AGDA, who single handedly co-ordinated the extended exhibition at Pratt, believes that it's a great opportunity for AGDA and it's "all great work to share".

"It's nice to connect two parts of the globe," said Scott. "When my students first entered the exhibit, they weren't sure how to interact with the panels. They were somewhat unfamiliar with the work and maybe a little overwhelmed. But as each focussed in on a design, the ideas began to reach out. The work translated. I honestly heard some laughing - I think it was at the self-promotional style manual; and some getting my attention while pointing to a series of tiny, abstract watercolors used as part of a visual identity - beautiful."

The verdict: "The work is awesome!"