Critique of Ikko Tanaka's Graphic Works

Ikko Tanaka is a Japanese graphics designer with a fantastic feel for western and modern design. His technique appears to be bright, bold strokes of color with a very prominent Japanese flare. The images depicted in his designs are mostly from the Japanese culture but are done with very modern, and sometimes abstract techniques. His use of color is stunning and the depth and interest which is added from his use of Chinese calligraphy is breathtaking.

Tanaka transcends the bounds of culture with his designs because he himself has transcended those same bounds. His western design ability as well as his use of the English language in some of his pieces allows many others to interpret and understand his intent. The beauty of his pieces also transcend cultures. The piece I chose to analyze I feel is one of his most beautiful pieces, the only problem is I cannot find the title of it.

When looking at this image, the first thing that strikes me is the gorgeous contrast of the yellow background and the black negative space. There are two portraits that one can pick out of the poster, both using the same eye. The forefront image is of an Asian woman with black eyes and full black lips. The woman's right eye (our left when looking at her) is used in the male semi-transparent figure for his eye. Under the woman's eye is some very beautiful Japanese or Chinese calligraphy. The man's face is covered with semi-transparent calligraphy and the entire left side of the design has the same beautiful Chinese or Japanese symbols on a black background. There is English on top of the dimmed calligraphy that talks about Tanaka's favorite western font (Bodoni) and how he wondered for years if he could create a font as elegant, sharp and strong as the Bodoni typeface. There is more English under the woman's eye on the opposite page, below the calligraphy. Here he talks about the world of tea, and how contemporary artists and designers may be "closer to the spirit of Sen no Rikyu than the tea ceremony itself." It is a bit of a strange writing if you don't know what he is talking about and I surely don't so I was a bit confused.

Overall this poster is stunning and very eye catching. The use of transparency, different levels of opacity, color and negative space creates a beautiful piece but the calligraphy is what puts this one over the edge. Please see the image at: http://bp3.blogger.com/_gyc95FIYK60/RbsnVSYRfCI/AAAAAAAAA3E/dxLqzJCF_E4/s1600-h/Picture+2.jpg