exhibitions: An illustrated history of the AGO’s graphic identity
Art Gallery of Ontario identity, Hahn Smith Design, 2003
In 2003, the Transformation AGO brand identity was launched with the slogan “New Art, New Building, New Ideas, New Future.” It was intended as a transitional identity for the AGO’s expansion project led by celebrated architect Frank Gehry.
On May 15, 2008, the Art Gallery of Ontario unveiled a distinctive new logo that will represent the Gallery well beyond its Fall 2008 opening.
Centred inside a black square, the Gallery’s new logo uses multiple typefaces and a wide spectrum of colours to create a unique effect reminiscent of light refracting through glass. By combining a strong iconic form – the black square – with a shimmering juxtaposition of overlapping coloured typefaces, the logo captures both the stability of the century-old institution and the forward-looking energy of the new Gallery.
This exhibition looks back on the history of the AGO’s graphic identities since its founding in 1900. It features a selection of logos and wordmarks compiled from the Gallery’s archives. Thanks to Randall Speller, AGO Reference Librarian, for help with the research.
For more information about the new graphic identity, visit our blog at http://www.artmatters.ca.
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Here's a link to an interview with logo designer Kevin Sugden, of Bruce Mau Design about the gallery’s new identity -
http://viewoncanadianart.com/2008/07/18/the-art-gallery-of-ontario-logo-by-bruce-mau-design/
07.23.2008 at 12:39 PM