Günther Kieser, Visual Poet

Miles Davis Poster, 1971 by Günther Kieser

I recall seeing the peculiar art of Günther Kieser at a young age. This week seeing the photorealistic ‘trumpet tree’ again piqued my interest in his body of work. A genius in his own time, Kieser created a whole new visual language. His early work exemplifies an ability to synthesize communications pieces that are visually unique yet clear in message.

His early work, Alabama Blues brilliantly uses the shape of a dove to contain the typography.  The Alabama Blues music was all about peace and justice as represented by the dove form.

Jimi Hendrix poster, 1969,  by Günther Kieser

Trained at the Offenbach College of Design in Germany, Keiser began his career with partner, Hans Michel, in 1952, designing postages stamps for the German postal service. They also created posters for one of the first German Jazz concert services, Lippmann & Rau. It was from Horst Lippmann  Kieser received his first commission for the music industry.  Kieser and Michel designed posters for concerts of Jazz greats including John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. Well versed in many mediums, he combined  collage, linocut, photography with his strong drawing skill.

After ending his partnership with Michel, Keiser continued to produce posters for the music scene.  His posters became a fixture in concert venues, bars and billboards. His treatment of political topics and current issues gave his work an iconic look and feel.   Keiser’s Jimi Hendrix Experience poster, 1969, is one of his most popular designs stamped in the memory of a post modern generation.  

Jazz Band Ball, 1963

 Meggs’ History of Graphic Design categorizes Keiser in the European Visual Poet camp. He had an uncanny ability to visualize text as form as seen in many of his works, including the Jazz Band Ball poster.   It is hard to believe Kieser’s work predates the digital age.   Günther Kieser still lives and works in Germany.

Sources:
http://www.nrw-museum.de/en/#/en/more/biographies/details/details/artists///guenther-kieser.html

http://www.moma.org/collection/object.php?object_id=8049  Jazz Band Ball

Traffic Poster, 1971, Günther Kieser

http://www.posterscene.com/html_index.cfm?page=item_page&itemoid=62677  Traffic Poster

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/g%C3%BCnther-kieser  Miles Davis Poster, 1971