** Press Release **
(Madison, Wis.) – Planet Propaganda has been selected by the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum for inclusion in the National Design Triennial exhibition. Samples of the design, advertising and interactive company’s creative work will be on view December 9, 2006 through July 29, 2007 at the museum housed in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Selected works by Planet also will be published in an exhibit catalogue and displayed online at www.cooperhewitt.org.
One of only 10 firms selected from the graphic design industry, Planet will join 86 other designers and firms from across the country representing product design, architecture, furniture, film, new technologies, animation, science, medicine, and fashion.
“It’s an amazing thing to say your work will hang in the Smithsonian. It helps validate all the time and energy that we pour into it,” says Dana Lytle, Planet co-founder.
“Although its name mockingly evokes delusions of totalitarian grandeur, Planet Propaganda approaches a diverse range of media with commonsense thinking and carefree creative energy,” says Cooper-Hewitt curator Ellen Lupton.
The National Design Triennial will showcase Planet Propaganda’s designs for:
- Gary Fisher mountain bikes’ promotional film introducing Cake brand bikes
- Jimmy John‘s Gourmet Sandwiches brand identity, packaging and advertising
- Wisconsin Film Festival’s 2004 marquee poster “Kids,” 2002 marquee poster “Opened” and 2001 poster “Curtains”
- High Noon Saloon rock band promotional poster for “All The Pretty Horses”
- P’elvis Anchor Inn rock band promotional poster
- Broom Street Theater’s performance posters for “Alabaster County Little League Beauty Pageant,” “The Ballerina and the Economist” and “Untitled Farce”
- Design Madison 04/05 season promotional materials
Lupton continues, “A direct, real-life sensibility pervades Planet’s diverse body of work. Hand-drawn illustrations deliver blunt, immediate humor: in a theater poster, the barrel of a gun is made of popcorn; to promote a show by P’elvis at the local Anchor Inn, a classic ship’s anchor becomes a pelvic bone. The pleasure taken in well-written copy shines through in direct, down-home advertising and branding for Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.”
She adds, “Planet Propaganda extends this no-nonsense attitude to motion graphics, creating unforgettable campaigns for Gary fisher Mountain Bikes… Prepare for world domination, as Planet Propaganda brings the cool humor that has helped reap success for the Wisconsin Film Festival and other clients.”
This year will mark the third installment of the ongoing exhibition’s Triennial survey of contemporary American design from coast-to-coast. As part of the year-long exhibition preparations, Cooper-Hewitt’s curators will present experimental projects and emerging ideas, as well as major buildings, products and media that are at the center of contemporary culture for the period between 2003 and 2006.
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational programs, exhibitions and publications. For further information, please visit www.cooperhewitt.org.
Planet Propaganda is a design, advertising and interactive company committed to shaping passion-based brands. Founded in 1989 in Madison, Wis., Planet’s national clients include Gary Fisher mountain bikes, Bretford furniture and workspaces, PunchStock royalty-free images, and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches. For more information, please visit http://www.planetpropaganda.com.
