RECESS MAGAZINE Issue 00 Recess Š 2009 CREATORS Justin Cram Charmaine Zambrano-Cram Vera Valentine Alex Cerrilla O.G. SNUGGIE PHOTO Raymond Dang
RECESS IS AN EXPLORATION OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IN OUR EVERYDAY WORLD. THROUGH EXAMINATION AND DISCOVERY, RECESS STRIVES TO GENERATE DISCUSSIONS BASED ON INITIATED, FOUND, AND WRITTEN CONTENT. AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, RECESS IS A FORUM THAT WILL PROVIDE US WITH MEANINGFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PRODUCE WORK—WITHOUT RESTRAINTS— GENERATING ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE REGARDING GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ITS GREATER IMPORTANCE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES.
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FOR LEASE Photography by Alex Cerrilla
Shoe Pavilion
Circuit City
Interior of Shoe Pavilion
JUNK IN THE TRUCK Crap accumulated over six months in the cab of Justin’s truck.
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ON JANUARY 19TH, 2008, BUSH BASH EXHIBITED A SERIES OF GAMES, ACTIVITIES, AND VISUALS THAT REFLECTED ON GEORGE W. BUSH'S EIGHT YEARS AS PRESIDENT. Installations were conceptualized and developed using tongue-incheck humor that drew from his dismal approval ratings, Bush's many blunders as President, and his administration's failed policies. A miniature golf course took viewers down memory lane, from the oil fields of Iraq to the Minneapolis Airport men's restroom. Visitors honed their hunting skills at the Dick Cheney shooting arcade and revised the President's 2003 State of the Union speech. A table of Bush-head cut-outs, art supplies, including googly eyes, fabrics,
with a sign incrementally counting down the remaining hours of
streamers, and markers, allowed visitors to construct an effigy
the presidency. A pair of pi単atas, a penis (Dick) and a hairy vagina
as a personal reflection of George W. Bush.
(Bush), hung over the crowd.
A space central to Los Angeles, such as Los Feliz/Silverlake was
A rigorous marketing campaign raised awareness and sparked
sought out and secured at Remy's on Temple, at the intersection
support through donation of supplies and capital. An initial
of Alvarado and Temple in Echo Park. Within a four week span, the
postcard campaign through cafes, bookstores, and art-related
installations and visuals were built offsite and on the day prior,
institutions served as a teaser. Bushbashla.com served as a general
delivered and installed in the gallery. The exhibition was shown on
communication hub to maintain support. A second round of postcards
January 19th, the eve of the inauguration of our new President.
was disbursed and an email blast sent out prior to the event. The web site provided information about particular installations, photos
The day after, the exhibition was de-installed.
of progress, a blog and news entries.
We were graced by the talent of D. Ranger, an anti-Bush folk singer
The creators of the exhibition, Alex Cerrilla, Justin Cram, and
who was honored to call in the last day of Bush's presidency by
Vera Valentine are currently producing a book that documents
performing a four-hour set. A ring lady strutted through the gallery
the exhibition.
THE PRINTED WORD SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME! The above is an actual job application for the Church of Scientology. If you’ve ever been to the Hollywood Celebrity Center, you’d know just how much weirder it gets.
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PAINT SWATCHES We’re quite aware this is greyscale and not full color. Can you guess their actual hue?
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CONVERSATION with Shaun Garren, Graphic designer for Pleasure Chest
SOME BACKSTORY Shaun was first a product photographer and after a few months began designing ads, signage and other promotional materials for Pleasure Chest. Shaun is the sole designer and his designs are approved by the owner who is trained mainly in marketing and business. Graphic design for Pleasure Chest has consisted of packaging for condoms and lubricants, patterns on gift wrap and boxes, promotional signage and ads for three store locations. BEGINNINGS “I guess I always had a knack for stuff like this, but once I started designing here I have become a lot more aware of what graphic design
having “good” design. There are some who focus more on their design
consists of. This job has taught me about the importance of organization
and I think Pleasure Chest is going in that direction, but in terms of
and hierarchy of information. When I began, I was very unfamiliar with
design, I don’t really know what the peak is. There is only so much you
what was needed to complete a job. Now, I realize that there is always
can design for in this industry.”
a way to work on things. Once you are more familiar, you recognize that anything can be tackled.”
SPEAKING TO AWARENESS OF THE INDUSTRY “I tend to know more than most of the people. I don’t begin telling
THE NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY
people where I work, just that I am a graphic designer, but I do some-
“After a while, you feel like you may as well be looking at a teddy bear.
times catch myself having a much broader knowledge of certain topics
The content becomes more or less obsolete.”
that are relevant to the industry. I’m used to searching for cock rings online...”
GRAPHIC DESIGN IN THE INDUSTRY “I don’t think it is very difficult to work as a graphic designer in this
PARTING WORDS
industry. But I don’t think a lot of companies really pride themselves on
“I am not sure of all the stereotypes, but the particular belief that everyone in the industry is a “perv” is completely untrue. There is definitely a type, but being “pervy” or sexually deviant is not the reason for gravitation.”
Shaun Garren, 30 Currently works at The Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood. He has been designing for two and a half years.
TRUCK GRAPHICS