Kemistry Gallery - Typographica

Typographica

Typographica is the first exhibition of the eponymous graphic design journal. Groundbreaking when first published in 1949 and now considered legendary, Typographica showcased the very best in worldwide visual arts. The journal was founded by a 25 year-old Herbert Spencer, who went on to become one of the most influential British communication designers and typographers. Typographica’s pioneering content included concrete poetry, avant-garde type experiments and photo-documentary, all highlighting Spencer’s ability to fuse images and words in meaningful new relationships, and featured the work of, among many others, Dieter Rot, Robert Brownjohn and Alexander Rodchenko. In its production the journals stand as a high-water mark for mid-20th century publishing– their use of contrasting papers, multiple textured stocks, gatefolds and varied printing processes served to showcase the capabilities of the publishers, Lund-Humphries, as well as Spencer’s imagination.