The Mugshot. Definitely a work of art. From murderers, thieves and hookers, these are the faces of the many who were captured on camera at the lowest points of their lives. While many people would say mugshots of the past hold a certain curiosity, I confess what started as an initial fascination turned into an obsession. I based my decisions on visual interest and the stories behind the arrests. After scouring the internet collecting images and editing on and off for a few years. Their are so many endless interesting images and stories.
Victorian, Gangsters, 60s Bad Girls, Rock Stars and Celebrities. Each piece comes with their story on the back.
Interview with Sam Smidt
by Chuck Byrne and Joe Miller
This interview is based on 7 posters accepted to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) permanent design collection. He also has several pieces in SFMOMA, Cooper Hewitt and the Smithsonian. We spoke about and why these posters were successful and what he had in mind on this work.
More about Sam on his site: www.samsmidt.com
Title: White is Beautiful
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The poster was done for a guest lecturer at SJSU. Charles White was known as a graphic interpreter.
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1971
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: Every Tues. eve we featured a guest lecturer.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution for this poster,
and many others?
SS: A typographical solution seems most meaningful.
Title: Pilot Without a Face
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: John Battenberg Sculptor Exhibition | De Saisset Museum of Art
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1970
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: John was inspired by war scenes, especially pilots.
Title: Cheeze
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The poster was done for an exhibition for portrait photographers at SJSU.
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1973
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: The typical word is ‘cheese’ is used to get people to smile.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: A typographical solution adds a sense of humor.
Title: We’re having a Few Friends Over
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: The Minimal Space party Announcement for 2 years
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1983
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: This shows a list of famous people that are invited as a joke.
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: A typographical solution is conceptual and adds a sense of humor.
Title: The Music of Lou Harrison
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1973
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: This flow of the music integrates with the announcement.
Title: Please Post
BS: What did you do this poster for?
SS: Western Art Director’s Club’s, ‘Miniature Art Auction’
BS: When was this poster designed?
SS: 1978
BS: What inspired this poster concept?
SS: Show something that is small to make an impact
BS: Why did you choose a typographical solution?
SS: Why not make the announcement itself the small art?