I first became aware of Milton Glaser in the early 80's, when he was a judge of an art show for the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans. Mary Strasser helped with my entry which was an assemblage sculpture. A department store manikin torso, painted pearl white, wearing a tie. I sewed faux pearls on the tie to spell the words "Well Hung".
I recently watched "Milton Glaser, To Inform and Delight", a documentary that I obtained from Net-flicks. Glaser is the originator of the "I Heart NY" icon. Which has seeped into our culture in a gazillion permutations. An icon which permeates our culture so deeply that it seems surprising that one man started it all.
He is the artist of the psychedelic hair Dylan album cover, and many other familiar images.
Here are some quotes from Glaser that come from the documentary:
"I do not want to be encapsulated in a style."
"(Art) History is not the enemy. You can use anything as raw material to make anything."
"...not about the differences in (cultural art styles) but their commonalities. Whatever we learn goes into the next project. I do not see them as separate things but as a continuum. "
"Artists provide that gift to the culture so the people have something in common."
"I believe in the intersection between religion and belief and making art and building community. Even tho it has not coalesced into hard belief. I think you have to hold your beliefs lightly."
Watching the documentary, I was impressed and inspired by Glaser's balance of idealism and practicality. His wonderful personality shined through the film. He was both modest and owned his huge contribution to humanity.
Check it out, "Milton Glaser, To Inform and Delight".
