In Living Color: “Chromatic: A Tribute to Color” blends Art and Design

Saturday, October 2nd, “Chromatic: A Tribute to Color” opened Atlantans’ eyes to graphic design in the same manner as the documentaries Objectified and Helvetica by exposing the artists behind design. It’s a creative process that unsuspecting patrons of the Arts might not have imagined populating gallery walls, but Chromatic changed that presumption and brought a refreshing take on curating an art show.

Danielle Harris, curator of Chromatic, created the show to expose not only a new side of graphic design but also artists that aren’t normally shown in the Atlanta Art scene. Straying from even well-known graphic designers, Harris sought out new artists and gave them the liberty to create something innovative.

Chromatic gave the designers creative freedom in his/her individual projects, with the only parameters that they “loosely base it on color”. Harris believes that every designer has a color palate inside of him or her and, given the chance, it would come out naturally; she told them, “You don’t have a critic. Just do it.”

The result was something innovative. Graphic design lives around us, it is something that we constantly interact with. Danielle saw the art as communication; the pieces only work if a communication or interaction takes place. The Goat Farm was decorated with designs in which patrons could move, change or even instantly take home.

It is hard to pick favorites in a show where so many people are pushing themselves to create something different, but there were a few pieces that stood out. Some of my favorites included: a Mad Magazine like piece by Duke Aber that moved in the same manner as the foldable pages in the back of said publication; it was a layered piece that allowed people to remove panels to unveil a new color underneath and an assortment of CD’s designed by Geographic North accompanied by the music.

Harris and Zopi Kristjanson are naturals at entertaining; they transformed an unsuspecting warehouse into a beautiful Art gallery and displayed attention to detail down to the Chromatic drinks that lined the bar.

Chromatic: A Tribute to Color debuted on October 2nd at the Goat Farm in the Rodriguez Room.  For more information, please visit the Chromatic site.

Photo Credit: Ryan James