Barbara Did It First? IV

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (You Have Searched And Destroyed), 1982
2. Raf Simons Fall/Winter 2012

So, in the end, did Barbara do it first? Yes. Indeed. I know right. Does it matter? Yes. Indeed. I know right. Have we learned anything new? No. Unfortunately. Not at all. Do you still love me?
/HORST

Barbara Did It First? III

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Bleed Us Dry), 1987
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2014

The appropriation of consumer culture has proceeded to check-out. From analogue receipt to digital barcode scan. In your face and in your basket: a polished product and sneering "Let them have it!" smile.
/HORST

Barbara Did It First? II

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Remember Me), 1988
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2013

Barbara wants 'You' to 'Remember' 'Her'. Raf 'Will Do Her' this favour. And with this in mind, maybe appropriation is about remembrance? About the not-forgotten and will-not-be-forgotten. In a world where information passes through so fast, we hardly notice it was ever there.
/HORST

Barbara Did It First?

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (You Can't Drag Your Money Into The Grave With You), 1990
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2012

I might have to accept the fact that it is no longer about 'Who Did It First' or 'Oops I Did It Again'. Appropriation is an art form, so why should we except fashion from it? The new question being posed now should rather be 'Why Does It Exist Again'? And 'What does it add to the Now'?
/HORST

A Short History Of Typography In Popular Culture VII

1. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Your Gaze Hits The Side Of My Face), 1981
2. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2002
3. Jay-Z Magna Carta Holy Grail, 2013
4. Barbara Kruger Untitled (I Shop Therefore I Am), 1987
5. Helmut Lang Fall/Winter 1997
6. Bruce Weber Helmut Lang, Fall/Winter 1997
7. Acne Spring/Summer 2013
8. Barbara Kruger Untitled (Are We Having Fun Yet?), 1987
9. Acne Spring/Summer 2013
10. Barbara Kruger Untitled (You Are Not Yourself), 1982
11. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 1998

Barbara Krüger collaborates with Kanye West. Louise Bourgeois poses for Helmut Lang. Raf Simons quotes the Sex Pistols. What they share is a 'cut and paste' approach and sense for the censored message. Black bars and red markers constitute their visual language. An advertisement for feminism, hedonism and consumerism. Are we having fun yet?
/HORST