saint etienne biennale 08: garth walker at '2036'

detail of wallpaper in which africa takes a look at saint-étienne in the year 2036 image © designboom

‘2036’ is the graphic design exhibition where three studios were asked to imagine the world in which the 2036 saint-étienne beinnale will take place. this year was chosen because it will be 2008’s twin calendar year, something which only occurs every 28 years. the exhibition sets out to look at graphic design as a style and explores a number of visions which lie ahead of us.

one of the studios selected to exhibit was that of garth walker from south africa, who promotes the vernacular design of the continent in which he lives. he is continually revolted by rampaging neocolonialism and sees the year 2036 as a time when the world will be turned upside down. it will be a period where africa will have a place in the ‘first world’ against a background of wars, fierce trade battles and murderous AIDS. the graphics on show are works by three african alter egos, jabu, van and amadou who don’t have the means to travel, but are politically aware, literate and could be described as activists. their views on the world are informed by the internet, TV and news media. these alter egos are meant to represent south african graphic designers garth walker, brandt botes and wihelm krüger.

detail of a wallpaper graphic which deals with the subject of AIDS in africa image © designboom

‘self-portrait’ by alter-ego jabu nolovu, 2036

a ‘free AIDS’ poster

park icons for the city of saint-étienne in 2036, where nothing is permitted image © designboom

four posters which are a commentary on africa and saint-étienne image © designboom

installation view of the ‘2036’ exhibition which was housed inside a shipping container image © designboom

garth walker: http://www.orangejuicedesign.net saint-étienne international design biennale: http://biennalesaint-etienne.citedudesign.com cité du design: http://www.citedudesign.com