Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Owens, Sarah

Titel

Active Literature: Jan Tschichold and New Typography

Ist Teil von

• Journal of Design History, 2008, Vol.21 (4), p.393-395

Ort / Verlag

Oxford University Press

Erscheinungsjahr

2008

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Oxford Journals 2020 Humanities

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Review of the book 'Active Literature: Jan Tschichold and New Typography' by Christopher Burke (Hyphen Press, 2007). 336pp. Book examining Tschichold's early modernist career, revealing the person behind the myth which he played a key role in creating, and linking his practice and personal situation with wider cultural, political and economic circumstances. The book traces Tschichold's training in Germany, his interest in Constructivism, and his campaigning for New Typography, ending at the point his work returns to a more traditional approach. Tschichold's biography is interwoven with that of contemporary typographers, artists and designers, revealing the collaboration involved in New Typography's advancement. The book also notes the strong influence of El Lissitzky, illustrating how Tschichold analysed or even imitated those he admired. Additionally, the book focuses on the critical reception of Tschichold's theories, presenting a wide range of contemporary responses that confirm the significant impression he made on colleagues. The author accessed much primary archival material including letters, publications, sketches, designs and published interviews, and the book introduces a wealth of illustrations, many previously unseen. The review also notes that the book was designed and typeset by the author using his own and a digital version of one of Tschichold's typefaces.