"Die Nelken brauchen jetzt Wasser"
Poster
1975 (made)
1975 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Klaus Staeck (b. 1938) is a social activist and graphic designer who trained as a lawyer in Germany. Constant themes in his poster art are social justice, free speech and political honesty. Over the years, the prolific Staeck has produced many controversial examples of agitprop - some landing him in German courts. Though addressing many complex political issues facing our contemporary existence, Klaus Staeck relies on simple visual motifs which incorporate the use of photomontage.
The image of a red carnation in a gun barrel is the symbol of peaceful resistance in Portugal: in 1974 (the year beofre this poster was published), a non-violent protest by Portugese civilians and dissenting soldiers alike resulted in the formation of a parliamentary democracy.
The image of a red carnation in a gun barrel is the symbol of peaceful resistance in Portugal: in 1974 (the year beofre this poster was published), a non-violent protest by Portugese civilians and dissenting soldiers alike resulted in the formation of a parliamentary democracy.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | "Die Nelken brauchen jetzt Wasser" |
| Materials and techniques | colour offset lithograph |
| Brief description | Solidarity with Portugal poster by Klaus Staeck. Germany, 1975. |
| Physical description | Red carnation in the barrel of a rifle. |
| Marks and inscriptions | "Die Nelken brauchen jetzt Wasser" |
| Credit line | Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Klaus Staeck (b. 1938) is a social activist and graphic designer who trained as a lawyer in Germany. Constant themes in his poster art are social justice, free speech and political honesty. Over the years, the prolific Staeck has produced many controversial examples of agitprop - some landing him in German courts. Though addressing many complex political issues facing our contemporary existence, Klaus Staeck relies on simple visual motifs which incorporate the use of photomontage. The image of a red carnation in a gun barrel is the symbol of peaceful resistance in Portugal: in 1974 (the year beofre this poster was published), a non-violent protest by Portugese civilians and dissenting soldiers alike resulted in the formation of a parliamentary democracy. |
| Other number | LS.1388 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1727-2004 |
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| Record created | September 16, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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