Surfing Heritage
John Van Hamersveld Book Signing and Q&A
Thanks to John Van Hamersveld and Alida Post, to Bolton Colburn, and to Primo Beer and Longboard Vineyards wines!
John Van Hamersveld (born
1941, Baltimore, MD) ranks as one of America’s leading
multi-disciplined graphic artists and illustrators of his era. Known for
his psychedelic patterns and vivacious color schemes, John received his
education from the Art Center College in Los Angeles, CA in the early
1960s, which then gave way for him to launch his professional career as
the art director at Surfer Magazine. During this time, Van Hamersveld
had an opportunity of a lifetime by designing one of the most
recognizable and timeless film posters to date, The Endless Summer,
directed by Bruce Brown in 1964. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled as a
student at California Institute of Arts, later to become an instructor of
art and design. This continued education, as well as the notoriety he
garnered with the transcendent design of a burgeoning surf era, led to a
vast array of tremendous opportunities, designing a number of
concert posters for such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane,
The Who, among many others.
In
the late 60s, Van Hamersveld assumed the role of art director at
Capitol Records where he continued to add to his already impressive
portfolio of graphics for famed musicians. During his running, he
designed up to 300 album covers, the most notable of which being The
Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour and The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main St. These
iconic sensibilities and transformative designs he produced were
beneficial in the conception of logos, typography, and complete graphic
identities for such brands as Fatburger, Contempo Casuals, Gotcha, and
JIMMY’Z. More recently, in an extension to graphic identity and dazzling
homage, Van Hamersveld, as well as over 30 million people worldwide,
have seen the culmination of his work on a grand scale, 1,500 feet high
and 12 million LEDs bright, at the Fremont Street Experience in Las
Vegas, NV. His work has also been featured in a number of exhibitions,
including the MOMA in New York and the LACMA in Los Angeles.
Today,
the legacy of John Van Hamersveld’s 50 years of graphic design is
embodied in the archives of his Coolhous Studio, presenting the past and
future of his collective works, designs, and facades. Coolhous Studio
will continue to create new works, as well as promote the relevance of
Van Hamersveld’s illustrated creations in modern day society as being a
radically transformational inclusion in the Americana art scene.
It was a great event, thank you to our volunteers and attendees!
Here's a great article in Juxtapoz Magazine with John:
And more on John:
Presentation in Five Parts Online... about John Van Hamersveld/Coolhous Studio 2009-2013
1. Finding America - John Van Hamersveld by Sinuhe Xavier 2011
2. John Van Hamersveld and Homemint Video in 2012
3. The TOMS Eye Chart silkscreen Print being made in 2012
4. Shepard Fairey and John Van Hamersveld Interview in 2010
5.
John Van Hamersveld VivaVision Signs Of Live, Feb 09, 2010 · Signs Of
Life + Indigo Edge in VivaVision. Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV.
Zombies: She's Not There + Time Of The Season.12.5 million LED …
Labels: events
posted by Surfing Heritage Foundation at
4:13 PM
