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Earth Day

Poster
1970 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970 with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues. It also helped to consolidate the new environmental movement which was growing out of a climate of social conscience and the contemporary interest in alternative lifestyles. This photomontage probably reproduces one of the works on show in the exhibition advertised by the poster. The gas mask is a monstrous image in itself and, combined with the globe, it raises the spectre of a world suffocating from pollution.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleEarth Day (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Offset lithograph
Brief description
'Earth Day' poster designed by Leydenfrost, photographed by Brewster, USA, 1970
Physical description
Black and white photograph of a globe harnessed into a gas mask.
Dimensions
  • Height: 640mm
  • Width: 490mm
Marks and inscriptions
Earth Day, April 22, 1970/ In the Board Room:/ Photographic Exhibit: "Open Space in the Inner City" 1:00 - 5:00 p.m./ Film: "Mission Impossible: They Care for a City" At 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 p.m. (printed in white)
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
Object history
Historical significance: The first Earth Day was held on 22 April, 1970.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970 with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues. It also helped to consolidate the new environmental movement which was growing out of a climate of social conscience and the contemporary interest in alternative lifestyles. This photomontage probably reproduces one of the works on show in the exhibition advertised by the poster. The gas mask is a monstrous image in itself and, combined with the globe, it raises the spectre of a world suffocating from pollution.
Other number
LS.1159 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number
Collection
Accession number
E.329-2004

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Record createdJune 10, 2004
Record URL
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