Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Design Gallery, Designing for Change section 1, Case 11

Printing Block

2019 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Circular printing block with hourglass logo.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Foamboard, paint
Brief description
Printing block, XR hourglass logo, Extinction Rebellion, 2019
Physical description
Circular printing block with hourglass logo.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 104mm
  • Depth: 7mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
A familiar logo The east London street artist ESP created the sand timer logo, known as the Extinction symbol, in 2011. Representing time running out to act on the climate crisis, it is instantly recognisable and easy to replicate. Cut from board and covered with paint, activists can use a printing block to print the logo on fabric and paper for protests and events. [Young V&A, Design Gallery long object label](2023)
Credit line
Given by Juliana Muniz Westcott for Extinction Rebellion Families
Historical context
Extinction Rebellion are a non-violent protest group network raising awareness of global heating and climate change. They formed in 2018 to use civil disobedience to engage people with their cause. They have become known for several occupations of major streets in central London, holding up traffic and holding talks and workshops instead.

These events have been adorned by the work of Extinction Rebellion’s Art Group, who have harnessed illustration and graphic design to create memorable visuals. These designs have also been shared online so that anyone can use them. They have been added to by other groups around the world but all feature the same colourways, typeface and styles.

Many children with concerns about their future have been inspired by the actions of young activists such as Greta Thunberg, initiator of the School Strike for Climate, and have participated in these protests through the Extinction Rebellion Families Group. They have organised family friendly events that contribute to action through participation through creative acts of making, using art techniques that children can easily apply, enabling them to be noticed and amplifying their voices around issues that will affect them in future through harnessing their creativity and working together with others.
Subject depicted
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
B.76-2022

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Record createdAugust 1, 2019
Record URL
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